Lasita, a modern Filipino restaurant in Chinatown, faces fallout from heavy ICE enforcement on June 6, which spooked guests and disrupted operations. With many staff being undocumented, they are left to navigate increased anxiety and cancellations. Restaurant owners express frustration over a lack of clarity regarding immigration law and its effects on their businesses. The restaurant industry, primarily staffed by Latino and immigrant workers, has seen significant economic decline as fear keeps both workers and patrons at home, highlighting their reliance on immigrant labor amid growing pressures.
"We were in a position of just reacting and in a state of shock because we didn't know how to respond accordingly," said Valencia, who manages a predominantly Asian and Latino staff.
"We're alarmed. We're frustrated about the lack of transparency, especially legal clarity. We're business owners, we're not immigration experts." said Corissa Hernandez.
Collection
[
|
...
]