LOS ANGELES, CA — Immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles County's Latino commercial corridors last year drove away customers, disrupted business operations and left many small businesses struggling to recover a year later, according to a report released Wednesday by UCLA.
Researchers with the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute and Inclusive Action for the City found that businesses near nine immigration enforcement sites recorded about 46,000 fewer customer visits and an estimated $3.16 million in lost revenue within two weeks of enforcement activity in June 2025.
Businesses closest to the enforcement sites experienced the steepest declines in customer traffic.
"These figures understate the full economic toll on Los Angeles businesses," the report said.
"Our analysis covers only nine enforcement sites, a fraction of the operations across Los Angeles County during this period, and captures just the two weeks following the first documented action at each site. Given the scale of enforcement activity, the true cumulative loss is far greater than the figures reported here."
The report also included surveys and interviews with 75 Latino entrepreneurs across Los Angeles County.
Among those surveyed, 68% said they temporarily closed or reduced business hours following the enforcement activity, while half said employees missed work because of fear.
The survey found 76% said the raids and their aftermath harmed their health and well-being, and 59% reported losing more than half their revenue.
Nearly a year later, 95% said they continued to face financial challenges, with 52% reporting they were unable to consistently cover operating costs and 43% saying they were only breaking even.
One business owner in the report described the immediate impact of the enforcement activity.
"The first operation was two blocks from my store. Helicopters. Complete chaos. From that day on, people were afraid to go out. You would hear all the merchants pulling down their metal gates," said Berenice, who has operated a party supply store for 17 years.
The report concluded that many business owners have depleted savings, taken on debt and postponed expansion plans as they continue to deal with the economic fallout from enforcement operations.
City News Service
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