Suya Joint, a West African restaurant in Roxbury known for its Nigerian cuisine, may be forced to close following the detention of its manager, Paul Dama. According to Eater, Dama—who is the brother of owner and chef Cecelia Lizotte—was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while on his way to church. He is currently being held at the Strafford County Department of Corrections in Dover, New Hampshire, with no criminal charges. His asylum case is still pending.
Lizotte, a U.S. citizen since 1999, said she is uncertain about the restaurant’s future without her brother. “What am I working for, you know?” she told Eater. Dama is scheduled for a legal hearing tomorrow, but the family is struggling to find representation due to a shortage of immigration lawyers in New Hampshire. He has been able to speak to his family daily and has expressed concerns about possible overnight transfers.
Despite the situation, Suya Joint continues to operate. The restaurant has launched a GoFundMe campaign and is donating 20% of jollof rice sales to help cover legal costs. Suya Joint has previously received recognition from Eater Boston as one of Boston's 38 essential restaurants and has earned Best of Boston awards for three consecutive years.
According to NBC Boston, ICE has not publicly provided a reason for Dama's detention and has not responded to inquiries from the press, including Boston.com. A message on the restaurant’s website titled “Help Bring Paul Home” describes the impact of his absence on the business and staff.
This case comes amid broader enforcement efforts under federal immigration policies that have affected various businesses, including restaurants in areas like East Boston and Las Vegas, as reported by Eater Boston. The outcome of Dama's hearing may determine the future of Suya Joint.
