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How ICE Raids Are Devastating Asian Businesses

Across the nation, the surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids is not only upending lives but also crippling local economies—especially in communities where Asian-owned businesses are an economic and cultural cornerstone. While much of the media spotlight has focused on the impact within Latino neighborhoods, the broader immigrant business landscape, including Asian entrepreneurs, is suffering deeply.


A Climate of Fear and Uncertainty

Recent raids targeting workplaces and commercial districts have created a pervasive climate of fear. In Los Angeles, for example, downtown areas that are typically bustling with shoppers, vendors, and tourists have been transformed by boarded-up storefronts and eerily quiet streets. Little Tokyo, a historic hub for Asian American culture and commerce, is just a half-mile from the Metropolitan Detention Center, where protests against the raids have intensified. Business owners report that foot traffic has nearly evaporated, and many are forced to board up their shops—not just to protect against vandalism, but because customers and employees are too afraid to come out5.

“Business is nearly nonexistent,” says Don Tahara, owner of The Far Bar in Little Tokyo. “We’re boarded up, which gives the impression that we are closed. If you drive by and see all these secured businesses, it makes you hesitant to park and visit any of them.” This sentiment is echoed by Asian and other immigrant business owners throughout the city, who are seeing their livelihoods threatened by the dual forces of enforcement and the resulting public anxiety5.

Ice Raids in Nail Salons
Ice Raids in Nail Salons

Economic Ripple Effects

The economic consequences are severe. Restaurants, flower markets, and small retail shops—many of which are staffed or owned by Asian immigrants—are operating at a fraction of their usual capacity. In the Flower District, vendors like Erik Gil describe days when they make no sales at all. “I usually make a decent amount of sales, but today has been completely unproductive. It’s been really slow,” Gil explains5. These losses are not just numbers—they represent families’ ability to pay rent, feed their children, and keep their dreams alive.

The impact is not limited to undocumented workers. Legal residents, visa holders, and even naturalized citizens are affected, as the raids and the rhetoric surrounding them cast a shadow over entire communities. The fear of being targeted or detained, regardless of status, is causing many to avoid public spaces altogether, further depressing local economies7.


Broader Implications for Asian Communities

The raids are part of a broader pattern of anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric that disproportionately affect communities of color, including Asian Americans. The current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement—coupled with rising xenophobia and the targeting of specific ethnic groups—has created an environment where even long-established businesses are at risk37. This not only threatens the economic vitality of Asian neighborhoods but also erodes the sense of safety and belonging that these communities have worked hard to build.


A Call for Compassion and Action

As business owners and community leaders, we must recognize the human and economic cost of these raids. The story of Asian businesses in Los Angeles is just one example of a nationwide crisis. The livelihoods of countless immigrant entrepreneurs and their employees are being sacrificed in the name of political agendas and enforcement quotas.

It is time for policymakers to reconsider the wisdom and humanity of these raids. Local economies depend on the contributions of immigrant workers and business owners. When we target them, we undermine the very fabric of our communities and our nation’s economic strength. Supporting immigrant businesses is not just a matter of justice—it is essential for our collective future.


In summary:ICE raids are devastating Asian businesses by creating fear, reducing foot traffic, and threatening the economic stability of entire neighborhoods. The cost is not only financial but also social, as these communities lose the sense of safety and opportunity that made America their home. We must stand together to protect our immigrant neighbors and the businesses that enrich our cities.

Learn more about the Asian American Experience 88tumble.com/learn


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