On June 14, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a significant operation at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet, a popular market known for its diverse offerings including art, clothing, and a vibrant food court. The raid occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m., just before a scheduled Father’s Day concert, and involved 50 to 80 agents in tactical gear accompanied by helicopters circling overhead.
Witnesses reported that ICE agents questioned attendees as they navigated through the bustling crowds, leading to the detention of dozens of individuals, with estimates indicating between 40 and 50 people were taken into custody. This operation is part of a broader escalation of immigration sweeps that began on June 6 in Los Angeles and at farms in Ventura County.
President Donald Trump has been vocal about his intention to intensify immigration enforcement actions in major cities governed by Democrats, including Los Angeles. The ramifications of the ICE raids have been felt not only by those directly affected but also by the community at large, sparking protests and civic unrest in the aftermath.
Following the raids, residents took to the streets of Downtown Los Angeles to express their opposition, with demonstrations beginning almost immediately after June 6. City officials, reacting to the escalating situation, implemented a curfew for specific areas in Downtown, affecting access to neighborhoods including Chinatown, the Fashion District, and Skid Row from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day.
The curfews have taken a toll on local restaurants, causing significant revenue loss. For instance, a spokesperson for Camelia, a restaurant in the Arts District, noted that due to a lack of clear guidance regarding the curfew, they adjusted their operating hours to open from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to maintain some business activity.
Camelia has creatively introduced specials during the early evening hours to attract customers, including half-price oysters and a $12 martini or champagne alongside their regular menu. However, the sentiment among many business owners is one of caution.
Several restaurant owners, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of ICE targeting their establishments, have either limited their hours or closed altogether to protect their employees from potential harassment or detention. The fear resonates deeply within the Latino community, which constitutes a significant portion of the clientele for many restaurants.
For example, the owner of Panadería La Colmena in North Hollywood reported that sales of traditionally popular baked goods have drastically declined, reflecting the broader impact of the raids on consumer behavior.
In light of these challenges, organizations like the Independent Hospitality Coalition have stepped in to support local businesses, sharing protocols aimed at enhancing safety for both owners and employees amid these raids. In a video posted on Instagram, Valerie Gordon, owner of Valerie Confections, detailed how she is adopting these new measures across her bakeries in Glendale and Echo Park.
The food scene in Los Angeles has also responded to the heightened risk posed by ICE, particularly affecting local taqueros. Reports indicate that many have closed their street stands or curtailed operations to mitigate the risk of raids. For instance, the owner of Jason’s Tacos, a food truck in East LA, revealed that ICE detained all of his employees during an early raid on June 12.
Consequently, businesses like Angel’s Tijuana Tacos have gone to great lengths to protect their staff and patrons, shutting down their street stands in favor of operating solely from their standalone location in Anaheim.
As the situation continues to unfold, the residents of Los Angeles grapple with the pressing challenges posed by ICE’s actions and the resulting community response.
image source from：https://la.eater.com/immigration/285108/dozens-of-armed-ice-agents-swarm-popular-swap-meet-in-santa-fe-springs
