The ICE raids are impacting businesses in high-immigrant areas.
Norm Langer, the owner of Langer’s Deli in the Westlake district, told KNX News’ Emily Valdez his business is down 30 to 40% since the ICE raids began.
“People are afraid to come out of their house,” he said. “Everything that's reported on the news gets magnified in people's minds because families are broken up, and it stopped a lot of people from coming out on the street.”
He added that some of his employees are afraid to come in.
“They're afraid to take the bus,” he said. “They're afraid to walk on the sidewalk or for fear of being, you know, accosted, so to speak. It's difficult. The ICE agents are tough. They're difficult.”
Langer said he’s seen the impact the raids have had on other businesses in the Westlake area.
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“We have a business across the street that sells lotto tickets. There's nobody in there, and he's flourished over the years, done very, very well, but not now,” he said. “I've got a clothing store in one of my buildings…and they're closing up because they can't make it. “
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