
Fear of aggressive ICE raids has led immigrant workers to avoid public spaces and disappear from neighborhoods across Los Angeles, causing businesses and markets to resemble ghost towns.
At a Glance
- ICE workplace raids in June have emptied produce markets and restaurants.
- Street vendors, day laborers, and factory workers are avoiding public areas in fear.
- A downtown market owner said business dropped from $2,000 to $300 per day.
- One-third of California’s workforce is immigrant—entrepreneurial hubs are collapsing.
- City leaders warn the raids pose a direct threat to the local economy and safety.
Market Exodus Mirrors Pandemic Fallout
Since ICE operations began, L.A.’s central produce market has fallen silent. Owner Juan Ibarra reports daily sales plunging from about $2,000 to as little as $300, forcing him to discard spoiled fruit—echoing what he described as “COVID-like” emptiness, according to Reuters.
Street vendors and restaurant staff, fearing arrest, now avoid common pickup spots, leaving once-lively stalls vacant and rent bills unpaid. Pedro Jimenez, who runs a Mexican restaurant, says revenue has dropped by $7,000 weekly—forcing early closures and layoffs—as immigrant clientele stay home to avoid detection.
Economic Shockwaves and Community Despair
About one-third of California’s workforce and nearly half its entrepreneurs are foreign-born, intensifying the raids’ ripple effect. Reuters reports that street vendors like a Guatemalan hot dog seller are now spending their days indoors, calling the situation “psychologically exhausting.”
Local authorities are scrambling. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has requested emergency impact assessments and support measures. Officials warn that fear-driven economic collapse is underway as tax revenues shrink and services strain.
CGTN America reports community leaders are demanding transparency and relief. Advocates say the raids are undermining trust—forcing immigrant families into hiding when they should be working, spending, and accessing services. “California’s economy can only last so long like this,” warned one official.
With entire blocks emptied and markets closing early, L.A. faces a critical question: can it restore safety and confidence—or will fear continue to hollow out its neighborhoods?