Noemi Gongora, a 64-year-old street vendor, faces an uncertain future in Los Angeles.
Every day, she risks being detained by Border Patrol agents, who could send her back to El Salvador, a country she fled over 30 years ago.
Despite the looming threat of deportation, Gongora continues to work, selling cocteles de curiles — clam cocktails — at a stand near the busy border of Koreatown and Pico Union.
This informal market is a bustling hub for street vendors, comprised of both documented and undocumented immigrants, making their livelihoods in a city with a $504-million street vending industry, according to estimates from the Economic Roundtable, a nonprofit organization focused on public policy research.
The current climate of immigration raids has heightened fears among vendors, many of whom are undocumented.
These agents have been making rounds in the city, causing widespread anxiety within immigrant communities.
Gongora, who earns about $50 per day, understands the risks but is compelled to work for her health needs, primarily her medication for cholesterol and diabetes, which is running low.
Amidst such challenging conditions, families often make difficult decisions about work and safety.
Gloria Medina, from Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education, explained that families are increasingly faced with heartbreaking choices: one parent may stay at home while the other risks going out to work, in the hopes that at least one parent remains available for their children if immigration agents strike.
Parents are also burdened with financial pressures, unable to pay bills and mounting medical expenses, often resorting to sending their U.S.-born children to run errands.
Medina highlighted the fear parents face when sending their children out, worrying they could be caught in a raid.
The immigration raids have broader implications, impacting not only street vendors but also workers who sell products door-to-door for companies such as Avon and Mary Kay.
Daniel Flaming from the Economic Roundtable noted that street vendors play a vital role in the local economy, serving as a bridge between suppliers and communities.
He expressed concerns over the growing marginalization of vendors, especially in the context of ICE activity in the streets.
Los Angeles Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez is aware of the struggles these vendors face and has collaborated with immigrant rights groups to provide resources like “Know Your Rights” workshops and grocery deliveries for those too fearful to leave their homes.
Furthermore, Sen. Maria Elena Durazo introduced Senate Bill 635, which aims to protect the privacy of street vendors by limiting immigration enforcement access to local data and prohibiting local program inquiries into vendors’ immigration status.
Durazo emphasized the importance of supporting street vendors, recognizing their contributions to California’s culture and economy.
Grassroots efforts have emerged in response to the challenges vendors face.
K-Town for All, a volunteer-led organization, has rallied funds to assist vendors struggling to cover living expenses.
The organization has reportedly helped 80 families by buying out vendors’ produce to prevent them from risking deportation.
Medina noted the dual narrative of hardship and resilience in these communities, highlighting that amidst adversity, there is a spirit of unity and mutual aid.
In Canoga Park, approximately 25 miles away from the Koreatown marketplace, Jackie Sandoval spoke about the changing atmosphere among vendors.
The 25-year-old sells a variety of traditional dishes at her sidewalk stand but noticed fewer vendors joining her due to fears of immigration enforcement.
Lyzzeth Mendoza from the Community Power Collective stated that nearly all of the 500 vendors her group serves are either undocumented or in the process of applying for citizenship.
Since the raids began, the participation of vendors in their work has plummeted; many vendors, including U.S. citizens, have opted to stay home, further complicating their business operations.
“There’s definitely a chill effect,” Mendoza said, noting the impact on vendor livelihoods.
Maritza Hernandez, who has worked as a vendor for two decades, expressed feelings of anger and vulnerability due to the raids.
She recounted the necessity of supporting her elderly parents while striving to provide her children with better opportunities.
One of her sons has graduated from Brown University, while the other is pursuing culinary education.
Yet beliefs lie deeply within these families.
“We don’t want to be a burden,” Hernandez insisted.
“We’re working hard and paying our taxes; we want to contribute and ensure our kids are educated for a brighter future.”
Even before the recent raids, street vendors faced challenges from the surrounding community.
There were complaints from some local businesses and residents about unlicensed operations and waste generated by the stalls.
According to Los Angeles City Councilmember Imelda Padilla, there has been a noticeable decrease in vendors in her district due to the heightened fear from ICE activity.
Padilla stressed the difficult decision many vendors face between the urgency of financial survival against the fear of deportation.
However, not every vendor expresses fear of the raids.
In MacArthur Park, Manuel Guarchaj, 52, sells produce while noting the significant drop in customers due to their fears of immigration enforcement.
“I used to get 80 to 100 people a day,” he explained, “but now, maybe 40.”
Despite the circumstances, Guarchaj felt an acceptance that he could return to Guatemala if necessary, as his children are all grown.
“I came to this country by the grace of God, and it will be by that same grace that I’ll return home,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gongora remains at her stand, feeling the pressure of dwindling customer traffic and increasing isolation.
The marketplace she serves is not as buzzing as it once was, and she worries for both her health and financial security.
Brie Monroy, who traveled from San Bernardino to support vendors, expressed uncertainty about attendees while hoping for their continued survival in the community.
For Gongora, the reality of her situation is compounded by personal loss; she lost her husband to kidney disease six years ago, followed by her brother-in-law’s death.
The grief left her isolated, forcing her to depend on street vending for survival.
However, the immigration raids threaten this lifeline and challenge her ability to maintain her health.
With only a few weeks’ worth of medication remaining for her chronic conditions, Gongora remains reluctant to venture out for more, fearing the repercussions of an immigration raid.
Touched by her circumstances, she expressed her frustrations openly, wiping away tears that underscore the emotional toll of her daily struggle.
Despite the hardships, Gongora quickly shifts her focus back to her customers, driven by a determination to persist in her work.
In the face of adversity, her commitment to her livelihood remains steadfast.
image source from：latimes
