Trump immigration sweeps upended L.A.'s economy, with some businesses losing big

"The first month of Trump's immigration crackdown in Los Angeles put a dent in the area's economy, costing business owners millions in lost revenue and exponentially more in lost output from workers, according to a new county report. The survey found that 82% of businesses reported negative impacts from the raids that began early last June and 44% reported losses of greater than half their normal revenue."

"More than two-thirds of respondents said they had changed operations, such as by reducing hours and delaying expansion plans. Some said they had to close temporarily or had difficulty obtaining supplies and services from usual vendors. The report was prepared jointly with the L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity; researchers from a nonprofit group called the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation conducted an online survey of hundreds of local businesses."

"The survey is the latest evidence that the raids upended parts of the Los Angeles economy as some residents here illegally went underground and employers lost workers amid the arrests. It's clear the immigration action hit some areas and sectors of the economy harder than others. But in immigrant communities such as downtown L.A., Boyle Heights and Santa Ana, merchants have reported impacts. The report said some sectors, such as restaurants, construction and retail, would be particularly hard hit."

Raids in early June caused millions in lost revenue and larger losses in worker output across Los Angeles. Eighty-two percent of businesses reported negative impacts, and 44% reported losses exceeding half their normal revenue. More than two-thirds of respondents changed operations by reducing hours or delaying expansion; some temporarily closed or had difficulty obtaining supplies and services. Restaurants, construction and retail faced particularly severe effects. Many immigrant communities such as downtown L.A., Boyle Heights and Santa Ana experienced pronounced disruptions as undocumented residents went underground and employers lost workers. Undocumented workers contribute an estimated $253.9 billion in total economic output, about 17% of the county's GDP.

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