Los Angeles, CA – Immigration raids conducted across Los Angeles have severely impacted small business owners, with many drawing comparisons to the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The raids, part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, primarily target Hispanic small businesses, including street vendors and restaurants, leaving owners in dire straits.
Juan Ibarra, owner of a fruit and vegetable outlet in Los Angeles' fresh produce market, is one of many affected. Since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials began these operations over a week ago, including a raid at a nearby textile factory, business has plummeted. The market, usually bustling with restaurateurs and vendors sourcing supplies, now resembles a "ghost town," according to Ibarra. His daily earnings have dwindled from roughly $2,000 to just $300, and for the first time, he has had to dispose of unsold, rotting produce.
The fear instigated by the raids keeps many undocumented workers and customers at home. Ibarra notes that most of the market's 300 workers, who lack legal status in the U.S., have stopped attending work. "It's almost COVID-like. People are scared. We can only last so long like this," Ibarra stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
This sentiment is echoed by Pedro Jimenez, a Mexican restaurant owner in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood of Los Angeles. Jimenez, who became a U.S. citizen following an amnesty law signed by former President Ronald Reagan, reports a loss of $7,000 weekly. "This is really hurting everybody's business," Jimenez lamented, closing his restaurant early due to the lack of customers.
This tough stance on immigration by President Trump has sparked protest in Los Angeles, prompting him to deploy National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to maintain order, despite opposition from California's Governor Gavin Newsom. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson attributed business disruptions to what she termed as "Democrat riots," rather than the federal enforcement of immigration laws.
Experts, like Andrew Selee of the Migration Policy Institute, warn of the broader economic impact. "They are targeting the hard-working immigrants who are most integrated in American society," Selee said. As ICE raids shift from those with criminal convictions to workplace crackdowns, they disrupt the American economy, especially in immigrant-heavy areas like Los Angeles.
Despite a recent pause in raids on farms, restaurants, and hotels due to economic concerns, the effects linger. Immigrants are reportedly hiding or avoiding work to evade ICE. This environment of fear is taking a psychological toll, as noted by Luis, a Guatemalan hot dog vendor, who shared his anxiety about continuing to work amid the raids.
As Los Angeles grapples with this enforcement strategy, the local economy faces significant strain, with small businesses at its core bearing the brunt of these actions.
