ICE raids empty businesses in Chicago's Latino neighborhood.
Trump's immigration policies reduce sales and drive away visitors in Little Village.
247 - Immigration raids carried out by the government of current US President Donald Trump in Chicago are having a strong economic and social impact on Little Village, a neighborhood known as the "Mexico of the Midwest." This report from Bloomberg showed how the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) offensive affected merchants and residents on the eve of Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
The Dulcelandia candy store chain, traditionally packed at this time of year, was empty this morning. Marco Rodriguez, who runs the family business, said that costs had already risen by about 25% due to government-imposed tariffs, but the crackdown on immigration has exacerbated the drop in sales. “In recent weeks, with what’s been happening, we’ve had an even greater decline. All businesses are being affected, everyone is feeling it,” he stated.
Business in crisis
According to Bloomberg, Dulcelandia's sales fell by more than 50% in 2025. The situation is repeated in other establishments in the neighborhood, one of the city's main commercial corridors, surpassed only by the famous Michigan Avenue, the "Magnificent Mile." Jennifer Aguilar, director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that customer traffic has fallen by 30% since the start of operations. "We're going to lose some businesses, that's for sure. Many can no longer afford the rent," she warned.
Laura Gutierrez, from the Nuevo Leon restaurant, reported a drop in revenue of up to half on certain days. Meanwhile, Osito's Tap bar reduced its weekly hours and suspended its traditional mariachi party for fear of low attendance. "Sales have already fallen by up to 50% since Trump took office, partly due to the economic slowdown," said co-owner Mike Moreno Jr.
Escalation of tensions
The crackdown in Chicago began on September 8th. Trump threatened to send in the National Guard, but backed down after warnings that he might face legal obstacles without the governor's support. JB Pritzker, the Illinois state governor, and Mayor Brandon Johnson rejected the threat and reaffirmed that they would maintain the sanctuary city status, which prevents local police from cooperating with ICE.
However, the consequences are already visible. So far, at least 13 people have been arrested, including citizens of Kyrgyzstan, India, and Mexico. The operation also resulted in the death of a man shot by an ICE agent after an encounter.
Tradition under pressure
Despite the climate of fear, the community decided to hold the Mexican Independence Day parade in Little Village this Sunday, even after the cancellation of a large festival in the city center. Councilman Mike Rodriguez said security was reinforced in partnership with the Chicago police and community organizations. "We want to encourage those who feel safe to attend," he stated.
In commerce, resistance takes on symbolic tones. Among the piñatas displayed at Dulcelandia, alongside children's characters, the best-selling models are precisely those representing Trump and ICE agents.
