The Impact of ICE Raids on Street-Food Vendors and Cultural Legacy in California
Abstract
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) agents have been targeting Latinas/Latinos/Latinxs over the past year, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by street vendors. This essay examines the pivotal role that Latina/o/x street food vendors have played in shaping placemaking throughout California since the late nineteenth century. It also emphasizes the long history of persecution these vendors have endured and questions what Californians will do when our street food vendors—who are our neighbors, friends, and family—begin to vanish from the streets.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Latin American and Latino Studies
Migration
Ethnicity
and Economy
Asian American and Pacific Histories
Publication details
- Journal / source
- California History
- Volume
- 103
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 108–112
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN