Little Village's 26th Street Slowly Comes Back To Life After Months Of Immigration Raids

Little Village's 26th Street is gradually recovering from the impact of immigration raids following the departure of Border Patrol agents. Antonio Rivas, a local resident, expressed relief at the improved atmosphere, as businesses like Ceasar’s Music report increased foot traffic after a significant decline in sales. Ceasar Miranda, the shop manager, noted that his sales dropped by a third during the enforcement period but are now showing signs of recovery. Meanwhile, other local businesses, such as Lavanderia Sunshine, are still experiencing cautious customer returns, with employee Maria Quintada suggesting that it may take another week for full recovery. Vendors have also resumed selling their goods, but many regular customers have yet to return.

The shift in community sentiment is palpable, with residents feeling less stress and more camaraderie. In Broadview, local law enforcement expands protest zones outside of the ICE facility amid escalating tensions during recent protests, highlighting ongoing immigration issues. The situation remains sensitive, as many community members still harbor fear from past enforcement activities.