Relentless immigration raids are changing California's way of life - BBC News [View all]

Relentless immigration raids are changing California’s way of life - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqnpwrq1l4o

While many Americans support Trump's tough immigration policies, the relentlessness of the raids in the region has also triggered a fierce backlash from neighbours and activists. Southern California is home to an estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants, many of whom have been forced into hiding - too afraid to go to work, school or even the grocery store.

In so doing, the raids have altered the landscape of one of the country's most populous regions. Businesses are shuttered, cities have cancelled community events - including Fourth of July fireworks celebrations.

"Everyone's looking over their shoulders," says a "raspado" vendor in Los Angeles on a recent Sunday, where normally crowded soccer fields and picnic tables were mostly deserted. As she prepared the shaved ice with sweet strawberry syrup, she seemed wary of questions but grateful for a customer.

"It's never like this," she said.

"They just kidnap you," says Carlos, who didn't want his full last name used out of fear that he could be deported to his native Guatemala. He has been too afraid to go to work since his sister, Emma, was detained while selling tacos outside a Home Depot last month. "If I'm brown, if I'm Hispanic, they just come and catch you and take you."