In a shocking display of insensitivity, a barista at a Starbucks inside a Target store in Irving, Texas, was fired after writing a derogatory message on a Hispanic customer's coffee cup lid, igniting a firestorm of criticism.
According to the Daily Mail, the incident, which occurred on June 23, 2025, involved a racist joke written on Blanca Lopez's cup, leading to the employee's termination, public protests, and strong condemnations from both Starbucks and Target.
On that day, Blanca Lopez, a Hispanic immigrant, was shopping with her two daughters at the Target store when she ordered a horchata latte from the in-store Starbucks. After receiving her drink, Lopez noticed a handwritten message on the lid that read, "What do you call a sick eagle? Illegal." The phrase, perceived as a hurtful jab at her identity, left Lopez deeply upset and confused about the intent behind it.
"It's basically saying that we are sick, illegal individuals that do not belong in this country," Lopez told a Dallas CBS station. "Why did they call me that? Why are they asking if I have papers or no papers?" she added, expressing her frustration. "Why did she write this? For me, like, it's offensive," Lopez continued, highlighting the personal impact of the words.
Disturbed by the message, Lopez immediately reported the incident to a store manager at the Target location. "I showed them the cup and they said, 'Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I apologize and I'm going to talk to the team so they don't do it again,'" Lopez recalled the manager's response to the Dallas CBS station. As a manager herself in her workplace, Lopez emphasized accountability, stating, "If someone on my team did something like that, I would fire her immediately. Words matter."
Following an investigation, Target confirmed that the female employee responsible for the message was terminated from her position. "We apologize for this incident and, upon an investigation, have terminated this team member's employment," a Target spokesman told the Daily Mail. Target also released a broader statement, saying, "We want everyone in our stores to be treated with courtesy and respect; we apologize and are actively investigating and addressing this."
Starbucks, which licenses its name to Target for these in-store locations, clarified that the baristas are Target employees, not direct Starbucks staff. The company reiterated its stance against discrimination, stating it maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior in its licensed locations. Both companies expressed their commitment to ensuring a respectful environment for all customers during their initial investigations into the matter.
The incident quickly drew broader attention, with Hispanic community leader Carlos Quintanilla organizing protests at the Irving Target store over the weekend following the event. "It's not just inappropriate, it's disturbing," Quintanilla told CBS, addressing the incident's deeper implications. "Especially right now, when the narrative being thrown out in mass media is if you're illegal, you're a criminal, and if you're a criminal, you're illegal," he added, pointing to harmful stereotypes.
The incident unfolds against a backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump's administration, which has prioritized a historic deportation push as a key campaign promise.
According to the New York Times, arrests by ICE have doubled in 38 states since Trump took office, intensifying scrutiny on immigrant communities. In Texas alone, at least 20,000 migrants have been detained between January and June 10, 2025, under these policies.
Critics argue that the deportation crackdown has unfairly targeted Hispanics, including those legally residing in the U.S., such as citizens and legal residents. The Washington Post reports that more than a dozen American citizens have been arrested under these sweeping enforcement actions. Lopez herself shared a personal connection to the issue, noting that people close to her have been recently deported amid the crackdown.
For Lopez, the message on her coffee cup felt like an extension of the broader anti-immigrant sentiment amplified by current policies. "Basically saying we don't belong," she told the Dallas CBS station, summarizing the pain caused by the barista's words. The incident has left her questioning how such attitudes can persist in everyday interactions, even at a place as routine as a coffee shop.
The public outcry and protests led by Quintanilla aim to hold corporations accountable for fostering inclusive environments in their stores. Many community members see this as a moment to address not just individual actions but also the systemic biases that allow such incidents to occur. The response from Target and Starbucks, while swift, has sparked discussions about the need for deeper cultural sensitivity training for employees.
As the story continues to resonate, it serves as a reminder of the power of words and their impact on individuals and communities. For Lopez, the experience was a personal affront that echoed larger societal tensions surrounding immigration and belonging. The incident in Irving, Texas, has become a focal point for broader conversations about respect, discrimination, and the treatment of immigrants in the U.S. today.