‘Illegal’ Joke on Starbucks Lid Sparks Outrage in Texas

Blanca Lopez, a Hispanic mother from Irving, Texas, was stunned when she received her horchata latte on June 23 from the Starbucks inside a Target.

On the drink’s lid, instead of her name, someone had scrawled a riddle: “What do you call a sick eagle? Illegal.” Although presumably intended as a joke, Lopez found the message deeply offensive and interpreted it as a slur targeting immigrants, especially since several of her relatives were recently deported.

Hurt Portrayed as Humor

Lopez said she was initially unsure whether she was being targeted. “Was I supposed to laugh or what do I need to do?” she questioned, noting the joke felt like a personal attack, hinting at immigration status, “papers or no papers.” The use of “illegal” as a punchline struck a nerve, given her cultural background and recent family heartbreak.

Manager Responds, Investigation Underway

Lopez reported the incident to the store manager, who apologized and said they would hold a team meeting to “make sure it didn’t happen again.” While the manager’s response was swift, Lopez asserted that the offending employee should face termination. She kept the cup as evidence.

Community Advocacy and Planned Protest

Activist Carlos Quintanilla of Accion America organized a protest outside the store scheduled for June 28, calling the message “disturbing.” However, the planned gathering saw no one attend, so he instead livestreamed inside the store until he was asked to leave. He emphasized: “If you’re illegal, you’re a criminal,” and demanded accountability from both Starbucks and Target.

Corporate Positions and Policy Review

Starbucks has confirmed it’s investigating the matter, reaffirming a zero-tolerance stance on discrimination. Target also issued a statement pledging that everyone in their stores will be treated with courtesy and respect, but neither retailer has disclosed any disciplinary steps.

Broader Impact: Words That Wound

The incident highlights the broader context of anti-immigrant rhetoric in the U.S. Even an attempt at humor can have serious consequences when layered onto painful lived experiences, such as deportation. Advocates argue that service workers must understand the real hurt that can be caused through casual but harmful language.

You might also want to read: Can Trump be Stopped from Launching a Nuclear Strike?