Los Angeles is hurting: Empty Streets, Agents Chasing Suspected Undocumented Immigrants, and Businesses Under Pressure

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After a tumultuous week—marked by raids filling the streets and thousands upon thousands of protesters demanding an end to the presence of ICE agents—the city seems to have found a new normal.

The president ignored the communities’ demands; his administration announced an increase in raids and in the number of ICE agents who will remain in California.

Since then, the same scenes have been witnessed day after day: ICE vans and cars stopped in different neighborhoods, agents chasing suspected undocumented immigrants, empty streets, and struggling businesses. People remain holed up in their homes, while leaders and organizations issue warnings and urge the community to remain calm.

There are no signs of change—no announcements of new community pressure measures, and no indication of a step back from the Trump administration.

It seems we’re entering a phase where we’ll see who tires first. Neither the Iran-Israel conflict, nor Ukraine, nor the tariffs have diverted attention from the immigration issue.

But this can’t last much longer. “There are families and businesses that live day to day,” activist Mario Cárdenas told us. And that’s true. Many businesses want to support the movement against ICE, but at the end of the day, they have to pay rent, buy products, pay salaries, and cover other expenses.

If Trump’s idea is to hit the economies of these cities, he’s getting close to success. A sudden change is necessary—indispensable and urgent.

Who will start it?

Who will drive it?