A video posted on TikTok of a Mexican store owner in California being confronted by a woman for flying a Mexican flag has gone viral.
The woman is seen having a heated confrontation with a worker at Ventura County Mexican shop La Catrinita Crafts, with both parties exchanging insults, culminating in the woman walking away while flipping off the worker, who responds by telling her never to return.
“This is how to deal with Karens. Someone tell their grandma to stop being a racist,” the video was captioned. It was posted to the shop’s TikTok account and has since received more than 700,000 views.
Newsweek has contacted the store’s owner for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The incident comes amid a crackdown on immigration from Mexican and other Latin American migrants by the Trump administration. Trump signed Executive Order 14157, which designates Mexican cartels and other organizations as foreign terrorist entities, allowing for expedited deportations under the Alien Enemies Act and bypassing traditional immigration court procedures.
Meanwhile, Executive Order 14161 mandates stricter visa screening processes, enabling the exclusion or removal of individuals deemed threats to national security.
The Mexico and United States flags flow in the wind before the Leagues Cup Group stage match between Club America and Portland Timbers on August 6, 2025, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX.
David Buono/Icon Sportswire/AP
What To Know
In the video posted by @lacatrinitacrafts, the woman begins by asking, “Why the f*** are you flying a Mexican flag in America?” The store worker responds calmly, “Because it’s what I want to do,” prompting the woman to insist, “But you live in America.” The worker replies, “It doesn’t matter,” to which the woman retorts, “It does matter. Why do you think it doesn’t matter? You live in America.”
The confrontation continues as the store worker questions the woman’s persistence: “You really went out of your way to say this right now?” She confirms, “Yes, I did. Because I want to know,” but the worker dismisses her, saying, “You’re not worth my time.” The woman complains that she is unwilling to discuss it, but the worker cuts her off, asking, “Can you leave? I’m working.” She persists, declaring, “You have no good reason for flying a Mexican flag in f***ing California.”
@lacatrinitacrafts This is how to deal with Karens. Someone tell their grandma to stop being a rascist. #karen #rascist #ventura #california #venturacounty
The exchange escalates as the store worker waves the flag, shouting “Viva Mexico” and other words in Spanish. The woman walks away, holding up her middle finger and shouting, “F*** you, go back to Mexico.” The worker fires back, “F*** you, don’t you ever come to the store again.” The woman responds, “I won’t,” and the worker concludes the confrontation with, “Good.”
It is not the first time that the shop, which has been in business for over a decade, has been the target of racist abuse.
In 2022, the shop owners alleged they had received four voicemails complaining about the Mexican flag. One voicemail said, “We don’t want this c*** in our neighborhood.” Another said: “This is not Mexico, go back to Mexico and fly that flag,” suggesting they put up an American flag alongside it. Additionally, it said, “There’s too many of you damn people over here. You need to get out. All these illegals need to get out,” and accused them of being “anti-American.”
In a news report at the time, the daughter of the shop owner said, “With Trump, a lot of people think its ok to say those kinds of things and its not.” She added, “It really makes me very sad that there are people who say ugly things like that.” The mother of the shop owner added that since the calls, she feels “nervous” when people come into the shop and wonders what they are going to say.
The family said they contacted the police about the voicemails, but nothing could be done since the caller did not leave a name.
In 2025, the Mexican flag became a prominent symbol of resistance in Los Angeles during protests against Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which began in June and targeted immigrant communities across the city.
The raids led to widespread arrests and heightened fears among undocumented residents, fueling demonstrations in Latino neighborhoods where the flag was flown as an emblem of solidarity and defiance. While protesters defended the flag as an expression of cultural pride and political resistance, critics, including White House adviser Stephen Miller, condemned the displays as “foreign nationals, waving foreign flags, rioting and obstructing federal law enforcement.”
The administration responded by intensifying its crackdown on flag desecration: on August 25, President Trump signed an executive order banning the burning of the American flag, introducing penalties of up to one year in jail and empowering the Justice Department to investigate incidents, including potential visa revocations for foreign nationals involved.
What People Are Saying
The video generated over 7,500 comments, most of which supported the shop owner. The majority of the comments were not attached to identifiable accounts.
One TikTok user commented: “We can fly whatever flag we want. The US is a free country.”
Another said: “Mexico is in AMERICA. AMERICA IS NOT THE USA! Fly that flag baby! Viva Mexico Hermana!”
But some had a different opinion.
One account commented: “I’m not saying she’s in the right! But why not simply answer her question when she genuinely wants to know. Why not educate people?”
Another said: “As a Mexican, I agree with her. Yes, we should be proud of our heritage but we are in the USA. (People) who think their home country is the best, is honestly fantastic! But then why not move there? If someone doesn’t like it here, then move. I am proud to be Mexican, but I also enjoy living here.”
What Happens Next
Incidents involving public displays of the Mexican flag are likely to continue prompting debate, especially in areas affected by federal immigration actions.
Businesses and community organizations may need to navigate heightened scrutiny and public reactions, while local governments could face pressure to clarify policies on the display of cultural or political symbols.