Migrant reports xenophobic message on Starbucks cup

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Blanca López, a Hispanic immigrant living in Irving, Texas, reported being the victim of a discriminatory message after placing an order at a Starbucks located inside a Target store. The incident occurred the last week of June, when López, accompanied by her two daughters, ordered a horchata latte. Upon receiving the drink, she noticed a handwritten message on the lid of the cup: “What do you call a sick eagle? Illegal.”

The message, disguised as a play on words, was interpreted by López as a direct insult to her identity and immigration status. “I felt like someone had spit in my face. It hurt because I have family who have been deported, and because my daughters were with me. What kind of example are they setting for them?” she said in statements reported by several media outlets, including CBS News and the New York Post.

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After alerting the store manager, he apologized and indicated that corrective action would be taken, although he did not specify what. López, however, requested the dismissal of the employee responsible, considering the message not an innocent mistake, but an intentional expression of xenophobia.

The situation quickly sparked reactions on social media and among community leaders. Local activist Carlos Quintanilla called for a demonstration in front of Starbucks on June 28. However, the protest was canceled due to low turnout. Despite this, Quintanilla denounced that these types of incidents fuel an atmosphere of hostility toward immigrants, often normalized by hate speech and misinformation.

Starbucks and Target Response

Starbucks issued A statement affirming that it is internally investigating what happened and that it maintains a "zero tolerance" policy toward any form of discrimination or mistreatment of its customers. For its part, Target, the chain that houses the store, also offered a public apology and assured that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.

The incident adds to a series of recent events reflecting rising social tensions related to immigration in the United States, particularly in states like Texas, where immigration policies and political discourse have exacerbated division and anti-immigrant sentiment.

Blanca López keeps the glass as evidence of the message while she awaits an official resolution from the company. “This isn't just about me. It's about how millions of people like me are treated every day, silently or with messages like these,” she concluded.

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Fountain:

• NYPost
• CBS Texas