A year after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeted the Los Angeles Fashion District, a Salvadoran immigrant couple is fighting to keep their dress shops afloat, facing drastically reduced sales and mounting debt.
Joel Galvez and Leonor Torres, who own multiple businesses specializing in prom and quinceañera dresses, have seen sales plummet from dozens of dresses per day to a mere handful. The raids, part of a broader immigration crackdown, instilled fear in the community, deterring shoppers, particularly Latinos who constitute a significant portion of the district's clientele. This decline has had a ripple effect, impacting related businesses such as invitation makers, florists, and banquet hall operators.
The couple, who immigrated from El Salvador seeking a better life, had invested heavily in their businesses, including opening a second quinceañera shop just before the raids. They now face a substantial increase in debt, escalating from $20,000 to approximately $150,000. The financial strain has led to reduced staff and anxieties about meeting rent obligations, with one instance of a substantial amount of rent money being stolen from Leonor's store.
Joel, who fled El Salvador due to gang threats and sought to build a life in the U.S., described the current situation as "survival mode." The uncertainty and fear of detention have impacted his daily life, leading him to conduct errands at night and reconsider his movements within the city. Leonor, a U.S. citizen, also grappled with the pervasive fear that overshadowed their community.
Despite the significant challenges, the couple remains determined. They recall surviving the COVID-19 pandemic with government assistance and express a deep-seated resilience. While acknowledging the ongoing struggle and the emotional toll it has taken, they maintain hope for recovery, with Leonor stating, "I know I'm going to make it. I know I'm going to survive and at the end of the month, I'll have money for bread."
