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A vibrant community has fallen silent. Following the escalation of immigration enforcement operations, Huntington Park, a predominantly Latino city south of Los Angeles, has lost its usual vibrancy, becoming a ghost town. Closed businesses, deserted streets, and canceled events have disrupted daily routines for fear of being apprehended.
An atmosphere of fear and uncertainty
Jonathan Sanabria, council member and lifelong resident, described the change: “We are a target… they target people who look like me.”This fear is palpable on Pacific Boulevard, once bustling, now deserted and with locked doors: customers must knock to be served.
Visible economic impact
Historically prosperous businesses are facing a drastic decline. A bridal shop reported historically low sales, reflecting the fear of entering public spaces.
“Hooded operatives”: a community on the warpath
Mayor Arturo Flores denounced the operations as a "domestic terror campaign." Hooded officers in unmarked vehicles burst into businesses and homes, creating chaos and suspicion.
In a case that shocked the community, ICE detonated a door and used drones to enter a home where a mother and two young children lived., all American citizens. He did so without warning, again generating criticism of the tactics used.
Event cancellation and community withdrawal
Faced with the tension, Huntington Park paused certain summer public events, such as outdoor movie nights, for a month to safeguard the peace of its residents.
Anxiety also spread to schools. An elementary school graduation became a cause for alarm when rumors of police presence spread. Although the school district denied any chaos, it acknowledged the fear and activated security protocols.
Local response with comprehensive support
As part of its support, the city launched the HP With You initiative, a program with a fund of $150,000 designed to mitigate the impact of these operations. It offers legal assistance, food distribution, and an information campaign in several languages to reconnect with the community and strengthen their emotional and legal security.
Additionally, the mayor has instructed local police to require visible identification from federal agents and to verify their authority, in compliance with local regulations regarding official vehicles.
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