In the heart of Los Angeles County, the bustling streets of Huntington Park have fallen silent.
Once a vibrant hub for its predominantly Latino population, the city now resembles a ghost town, with fear of intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids driving residents indoors and crippling local commerce.
This working-class community of over 50,000 people, where 95.6% identify as Latino and up to 45% are estimated to be undocumented, has become a focal point for federal immigration operations under the Trump administration.
City Council member Jonathan Sanabria, a lifelong resident, described the raids as targeted and discriminatory.
“We are a target for them because we know that they are stereotyping and they’re racially profiling us.
And they’re targeting folks that look like me,” Sanabria told reporters during a tour of Pacific Boulevard, the city’s main commercial strip.
The usually packed thoroughfare, lined with shops and vendors, now stands eerily quiet, with many businesses opting to lock their doors even during operating hours to shield customers from potential encounters with ICE agents.
Longtime resident Jose Lomeli echoed this sentiment, noting the drastic change.
“I remember Pacific Boulevard was always packed, but since the raids have been going on, it’s a ghost town,” Lomeli said.
“I don’t even know how these places are surviving.”
Videos circulating on social media show the once-chaotic streets cleared of illegal vendors and pedestrians, a stark contrast to the pre-raid bustle, highlighting how enforcement has restored a sense of order but at the cost of community vitality.
Economic Toll
Local businesses are adapting in creative but desperate ways to reassure patrons.
Some stores keep gates locked, requiring customers to knock for entry, while others conduct business behind closed doors.
ICE agents require warrants to enter private premises, but the mere presence of federal operations has deterred shoppers.
A bridal shop owner, who spoke anonymously, described the situation as “very bad,” with fear preventing people from venturing out.
Sanabria warned of broader repercussions.
“It’s very obvious that our sales tax numbers are gonna be a lot lower than they were, which means it’s gonna be less money to provide services for our community,” he explained.
This economic downturn mirrors reports from across Los Angeles County, where raids have shaken immigrant-heavy areas, leading to canceled events, school lockdowns, and reduced foot traffic in commercial zones.
Nearby cities like Bell Gardens and Cudahy have similarly scaled back festivities due to raid fears, exacerbating the regional impact.
Sanabria emphasized the role of undocumented workers in keeping prices low across various economic sectors.
“When we look at a lot of different sectors of our economy, the reason we are able to keep it (prices) at a lower rate is because of the undocumented,” he argued, pushing back against deportation efforts.
Community Backlash
The raids have sparked significant controversy, with Mayor Arturo Flores condemning what he termed “masked abductions” by unidentified individuals in unmarked vehicles.
In a statement, Flores directed local police to verify the identities of agents and intervene in unauthorized operations, labeling the tactics as “state-sanctioned intimidation.”
This directive came amid reports of aggressive tactics, including the use of explosives to breach doors during home raids, where agents deployed drones and left families traumatized.
Heightening tensions, Huntington Park police arrested a man suspected of posing as an ICE agent, equipped with weapons, underscoring fears of imposters exploiting the chaos.
Community organizers and activists have urged residents to document encounters, report to groups like the ACLU, and demand warrants, framing the response as a modern-day resistance.
Protests have erupted across Los Angeles, with federal lawsuits accusing agents of “indiscriminate raids” in military-style gear.
The White House reported arresting over 330 immigrants in recent operations, but critics argue the broad sweeps target non-criminal undocumented residents, sowing widespread panic.
Incidents at public spaces like Home Depots, nail salons, and even schools—such as a lockdown at Huntington Park High School during graduation due to ICE presence—have amplified the fear.
National Context
A recent CBS News poll reveals declining overall approval for the Trump administration’s deportation program compared to earlier in the year, though support remains strong among Republicans, many of whom favor removing those who entered illegally.
This divide reflects broader national debates, with some viewing the raids as necessary enforcement and others as cruel overreach.
In Huntington Park, community leaders like Sanabria see solidarity as key.
“I think the community, seeing that we are behind them, that’s making them feel safer,” he said.
Yet, as raids continue amid lawsuits and protests—including National Guard deployments in response to demonstrations—the city’s future hangs in balance, a microcosm of America’s immigration tensions.
As Los Angeles County investigates potential outside agitators in related riots and federal operations expand, residents brace for more uncertainty.
For now, the ghost town persists, a constant testament to the profound human and economic costs of enforcement.
Trump is Now Being Accused of Getting Epstein Killed
Visit the Homepage for our extensive library of news, or read news for you below.
About The Author
