Lupe Lopez's Latino market in Newark, California, has seen a significant decline in customers and business activity, attributed to heightened fears of deportation under the Trump administration. This climate of fear is affecting not only her grocery store but also surrounding businesses, leading to a notable decline in in-store visits and revenue, while delivery orders have risen. Many immigrants, both undocumented and documented, are avoiding public spaces, which could have severe implications for local economies as federal immigration operations increase nationwide, posing a dire threat to these communities.
Now the aisles are often quiet, the parking lot near empty, she said. Neighboring businesses are no different... even the big-box retailers seem to be emptier.
The fear is felt in every aspect - no one is doing a party, no one is going anywhere... The shelves are just untouched.
If this doesn't stop, I feel it's going to break our economy.
Businesses that serve large immigrant populations are reporting shifts in consumer behavior - fewer in-store visits, lower receipts and more delivery orders.
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