Since March 2024 federal immigration officers conducted a series of raids across Little Village, a predominantly Latino neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side. The raids, carried out under a new policy aimed at targeting undocumented workers in low‑income sectors, closed several storefronts for several days each time. Business owners reported that while some managed to reopen, many suffered ongoing losses due to loss of regular clientele, increased security costs, and difficulties in securing replacements for lost inventory.b_2_/b In the weeks that followed the successive operations, the area’s commercial activity fell noticeably. A survey of 117 businesses conducted by the local chamber found that 58% had experienced a decline in sales exceeding 20%, and 22% had closed permanently. The affected businesses range from restaurants and bodegas to textile shops and auto repair services. Owners cite both the physical presence of federal agents—who shuttered mobile markets overnight—and the broader perception among customers that the neighborhood is unstable, a perception that persists even after each raid, leading to longer-term economic fallout.b_3_/b Community advocacy groups responding to the downturn have called for a temporary moratorium on further raids, arguing that the cumulative effect undermines the neighborhood’s economic foundation. Local police have reportedly increased patrols to reassure residents, while some businesses have turned to online platforms to mitigate short‑term revenue loss. The situation remains fluid as city officials and immigration enforcement agencies negotiate the next phase of operations, balancing enforcement priorities with the economic wellbeing of the area’s residents and entrepreneurs.