Korean merchants in LA fear collapse after aggressive ICE raids

A section of Los Angeles’ Fashion District, known as "The Santee Alley" or "Java Market," appears deserted on Monday, days after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided the area and detained more than 40 undocumented immigrants. Korea Times photo by Lee Seo-hee

LOS ANGELES — A wave of immigration raids in Los Angeles’s Fashion District, commonly known as "The Santee Alley" or "Java Market," has sparked anxiety and economic disruption among Korean American merchants, with many shuttering their stores in fear of further crackdowns.

On June 6, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted coordinated raids across the district, detaining more than 40 undocumented immigrants, including over 20 workers at a Korean-owned wholesale clothing business.

The raids also extended to nearby locations such as a Home Depot, prompting protests throughout the city and raising concerns within the immigrant business community.

"There’s barely a soul on the streets. Some stores haven’t reopened since the weekend," said Yoon, a 62-year-old Korean American merchant who has run a women's fashion store in the area for 30 years. "We’re scared they’ll raid us again."

A Waymo self-driving taxi sits in ashes near the Civic Center in Los Angeles on Monday, a day after it was set on fire during protests against immigration raids. Korea Times photo by Lee Seo-hee

ICE appears to have focused its enforcement efforts on the Fashion District, where many garment businesses depend on Hispanic labor, some of whom are believed to be undocumented.

Merchants say it has long been an open secret that undocumented workers are employed across the district due to labor shortages and the area's demographic reality — roughly half of Los Angeles' population is of Latin American descent.

"You can’t run a business here without Hispanic workers," said one merchant. "It’s not like before. Sales are down, but we still need people to run operations. Sometimes you hire people even if you're unsure about their status."

The shock of the June 6 raids was compounded by their aggressive execution. Witnesses describe ICE agents storming businesses, forcing customers out, and lining up dozens of Hispanic employees against walls to check their identification. Twenty-two people were reportedly taken into custody from one location alone.

"Even legal workers were treated like criminals," said one store owner. "It was terrifying, even for those of us who follow the rules."

A man removes graffiti left by protesters on the exterior wall of the Civic Center in Los Angeles on Monday, following demonstrations against immigration raids. Korea Times photo by Lee Seo-hee

Korean American community reeling

Merchants say workers are quitting out of fear, and customers are avoiding the area. Photos shared by vendors show eerily deserted streets and heavily armed officers on patrol.

"This could devastate the Korean American community," Yoon said. "Java Market has been our economic lifeline for decades. We bring in dollars from outside the community. If this collapses, it's not just the businesses that suffer — it's the entire LA Korean economy."

Protests erupted across the city following the raids, culminating in fiery confrontations with law enforcement.

On June 9, a demonstration in downtown LA escalated into clashes between protesters and riot police, with National Guard troops deployed and Marine reinforcements expected per an order by President Donald Trump.

Despite a relative calm during the daytime, sporadic demonstrations continued into the night.

In Little Tokyo, over 1,000 protesters chanted "ICE out of LA," as police fired non-lethal rounds to disperse crowds.

The tensions are expected to peak over the weekend, with further demonstrations and potential crackdowns looming.

"This place has stood through decades of immigration history," said Yoon. "Now it feels like we’re being targeted. I don’t know how much longer we can last."

California Highway Patrol officers arrest a demonstrator as protests continue in response to federal immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump claimed Los Angeles was being invaded by a "foreign enemy" and vowed to "liberate" the city after days of protests sparked by immigration raids. Trump has deployed thousands of troops — including 700 active duty US Marines — to Los Angeles, despite California authorities saying the move is unnecessary and will inflame the situation. AFP-Yonhap

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.