Carmela Diaz’s taco shop stands empty amid fears from both customers and workers due to an immigration crackdown in Kenner, Louisiana. This once-bustling area, populated by a large Hispanic community, is feeling the strains of federal operations targeting illegal immigrants, including recent arrests aimed at violent offenders. Businesses are closing down, and those that remain open are struggling, with owners like Diaz turning to home deliveries to survive. The city's Hispanic population, which has grown significantly post-Hurricane Katrina, now faces an uncertain future amidst fear and economic downturn.
Kenner's Hispanic Businesses Struggle Amid Immigration Crackdown
Kenner's Hispanic Businesses Struggle Amid Immigration Crackdown
Kenner, Louisiana, known for its vibrant Hispanic community, faces challenges as federal immigration enforcement creates an atmosphere of fear, leading to the closure of numerous local businesses.
In Kenner, Louisiana, the local Hispanic business scene is suffering due to heightened federal immigration enforcement, leading to empty restaurants and shops. Business owners like Carmela Diaz of Taqueria La Conquistadora have seen drastic declines in customers as fear mounts within the immigrant community. According to officials, these operations are focused on apprehending violent offenders, but the impact on the broader community is growing. Many residents, including U.S. citizens like Sergio Perez, express concerns over the safety of their undocumented family members amid this crackdown.
