Despite widespread reports of heightened immigration enforcement across the United States, Los Angeles remains largely unaffected. Concerns persist, but for now, the city’s immigrant workforce continues its daily routines without major disruption.
In the garment district, where undocumented workers make up a significant part of the labor force, business appears to be running as usual. At 9 a.m. on January 28, the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Maple Avenue, a hub for Korean-owned textile factories, showed no signs of unusual activity.
Maria Jeon, who has operated a convenience store in the area for 20 years, said her predominantly Hispanic customers have not changed their work habits. “Some have mentioned seeing ICE vehicles, and rumors are circulating, but I haven’t seen anyone stay home because of fear,” Jeon said. “The news makes it sound like chaos, but here, things seem the same.”
A textile industry representative, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while there is some anxiety among Hispanic workers, there has been no widespread disruption. A Korean business owner in the garment trade confirmed that his employees reported to work as usual.
A drive through the district, from the flower market to wholesale shops, painted a similar picture. Storeowners called out to customers, and Hispanic workers were busy moving boxes and restocking inventory.
Angela Ha, a manager at a wholesale business, said there have been no reports of absenteeism among employees. “We have not seen any significant impact from the recent immigration policies,” she said.
Observers attribute this to the fact that recent ICE operations have primarily targeted individuals with criminal convictions. Immigration attorney Kwan-woo Chun explained that the current crackdown is not focused on undocumented workers in general but on those with serious criminal records. “Many overlook that these operations mainly target individuals convicted of violent crimes,” Chun said.
ICE data from January 28 confirms this trend. Those detained included a Guatemalan national in San Francisco convicted of DUI and statutory rape, a Bolivian gang member in Baltimore with a history of indictments, and a Honduran suspect in Boston charged with robbery and sexual assault of a minor.
Even at locations where undocumented workers gather for day labor, activity appears normal. At 11 a.m. on January 28, about 100 Hispanic workers waited for job opportunities outside a Home Depot near Wilshire Boulevard and Union Avenue. While most job-seekers usually arrive between 7 and 9 a.m., the crowd remained substantial even as noon approached.
Antonio Coj, a Hispanic worker who identified himself as undocumented, said he has not noticed a drastic change in the atmosphere. “Things don’t feel much different since the administration changed,” he said. “My friends aren’t more fearful than usual. We’re still here looking for work.”
Nevertheless, rumors of ICE sweeps have circulated on social media, fueling anxiety. On January 25, a viral post claimed that ICE agents had conducted mass arrests at The Source Mall in Buena Park, a shopping center frequented by Korean Americans. However, an investigation by this publication found no evidence supporting the claim.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on January 25 that, regardless of actual enforcement activity, fear and misinformation have heightened tensions in immigrant communities.
Former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske told the Chronicle that such operations are routine. “Crackdowns are nothing new, and while enforcement may intensify, every administration has carried out similar actions,” he said.
According to ICE’s annual report, its Enforcement and Removal Operations division made 146,039 arrests and deported 271,484 individuals last year. That amounts to an average of 400 daily arrests and 743 deportations.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
