Huntington Park, California, is a working-class town with over 50,000 people. Lately, it feels like the town is being targeted because of more raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The town is mostly Latino — about 95.6% — and almost half of the residents may be undocumented, according to the city.
Jonathan Sanabria, a City Council member who grew up in Huntington Park, says the community is very scared.
“We are a target because they are stereotyping and racially profiling us. They are going after people who look like me,” he said.
Sanabria showed a CBS News crew Pacific Boulevard, the main street for shops and businesses. Usually busy, it was very quiet.
“I remember Pacific Boulevard always being full of people, but now it’s like a ghost town,” said Jose Lomeli, a longtime resident. “I don’t know how the businesses are staying open.”
Some store owners are locking their doors but still doing business to keep customers safe.
“There are people inside, but the doors are locked. They ask customers to knock so they can open the door and help them,” Sanabria said.
ICE agents need a warrant to come inside.
“We see stores open but with gates locked. This helps protect the stores and customers from unwanted visits by ICE,” he added.
A woman who runs a bridal shop said business is “very bad” because customers are scared.
“People are afraid of coming in or being taken,” Sanabria said. “But some feel safer knowing the owners are protecting them by locking the doors.”
When asked how this affects the economy, Sanabria said, “Our sales tax money will be much lower, which means less money to help the community.”
A recent CBS News poll shows fewer people approve of the Trump administration’s deportation program than earlier this year. But many Republicans still support deporting people who entered the country illegally. Sanabria disagrees.
“Our economy depends a lot on undocumented workers. They help keep prices low,” he said.
“I think the community feels safer knowing we support them,” Sanabria added.
