Pedestrian traffic has dropped significantly in Chicago’s predominantly Latino community, Little Village, also known as the ‘Mexico of the Midwest” according to a report from Fox 32 Chicago, as fears of deportation have increased since president Donald Trump took office on Monday.
“They’ve seen a lot less foot traffic and a lot less customers than they usually see,” Jennifer Aguilar, executive director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, said of the neighborhood to Fox 32. “The weekends are huge here in Little Village, and the The number of people out and about this weekend was significantly lower than normal.”
Considered Chicago’s second-busiest shopping corridor, Little Village spans two miles and is lined with nearly 500 businesses, including shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in the southwestern part of the city.
Establishments in the Latino neighborhood of Little Village in Chicago are seeing less turnover after Trump promised to crack down on illegal immigration. (Fox 32 Chicago)
According to Michael Rodriguez, councilman for the 22nd Ward, which includes Little Village, the once vibrant community isn’t empty just because of the cold weather. Rodriquez told the local station that people are afraid of the US Immigration and customs Enforcement (ICE) conducts major raids in Mexican-American neighborhood.
“There’s definitely a lot of fear out there, and we think it has to do with some of the less activity in their neighborhood,” Rodriguez said. “The fear is palpable. The fear is expressed by our residents. People on the streets say they fear ICE agents will show up on their doorsteps, at their workplaces, at their places of worship or places where they go to school. . They’re afraid of that.
CHICAGO MAYOR REITERATES OPPOSITION TO INCOMING TRUMP ADMIN’S IMMIGRATION REFORM
While ICE raids are possible under Trump’s new crackdown on illegal immigration, there are no signs of deportations yet, according to Leo Pargo, a community activist who patrols neighborhoods looking for signs of ICE activity.
“We’ve been patrolling,” Pargo told Fox 32. “We’ve been driving through Little Village and through Pilsen, looking for ICE agents or any possible raids that might be happening. Nothing so far.’
On the day Trump took office Monday, a sign reading “Don’t open for ICE” hung in the window of a corner store in Chicago’s Little Village. (Erin Hooley)
According to the report, Aguilar said while workers and shoppers remain at home, the looming fears will have an economic impact on the district, which reportedly brings in $900 million in annual revenue.
“It makes it very difficult to stay afloat,” Aguilar said. “Especially now that it’s just the beginning. It puts them in a state of worry, like what’s it going to look like in the next four years?”
“It really hurts everyone who lives here in Chicago that receives services from the city,” Aguilar continued.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTS ACROSS US ON ‘DAY ONE’
A street vendor sees no customers as consumers stop shopping in Chicago’s Little Village. (Fox 32 Chicago)
As a refuge for migrants, Chicago is facing Trump head-on after the president promised to address the issue illegal immigration during his inaugural address Monday: “Any illegal entry will be stopped immediately, and we will begin the process of sending millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places they came from.”
On Tuesday, Trump’s designated border czar Tom Homan also said that ICE agents have already been deployed across the country to conduct operations.
Chicago’s Little Village is a predominantly Latino community filled with Mexican-American establishments. (Eric Cox/Dan Fastenberg/Alexandra Sarabia/Core News)
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Despite the crackdown, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vowed to oppose the president’s plans and assured that the city’s local law enforcement officials will not participate in federal immigration enforcement under the Illinois Trust Act of 2017.
“Chicago stands strong: no matter the circumstances, our commitment to protect and support this city remains steadfast,” Johnson wrote in a social media post on Sunday. “We will continue to fight for the justice and safety of all who call this place home.”
