South Sacramento businesses suffer after border patrol operation near Home Depot

Businesses in South Sacramento say they are struggling and seeing a drop in customers following a border patrol operation at Home Depot.

One business owner says she started to see the decline when President Donald Trump took office, but it's taken a turn for the worse now that operations are being held so close to her restaurant.

Maria, the owner of Tortas Sinaloa, has sold her Mexican food in front of the Home Depot in South Sacramento for about three years. She says her business took a radical hit after the border patrol operation in the parking lot on July 18.

"When that happened, everyone got scared, and everyone was in panic mode. And things got more complicated because sales were already going down, and now they're really low. There's been about a 50% drop," Maria said in Spanish.

Maria says the majority of her customers are workers who come to Home Depot looking for jobs. Those workers didn't want to speak on camera. But they told ABC10 that out of all the people who used to show up here, only about 5% of them are still showing up.

"The American dream no longer exists. It has become the American nightmare," said Maria.

The President of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce acknowledges that the fear is very real among communities, but she says businesses are very much a part of the economic engine of our region and state.

"Our main thing here is for our businesses to continue to support them. So I want them to let them know, we're still open for you. We're here to provide the programming and services that we've always had for you. Maybe this is a good time to look at your business and let's help you evaluate it," said Cathy Rodriguez Aguirre, CEO and President of Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

They're also offering resources and keeping close track of their partners.

"On our website, we've included information now for employers. They are unsure what to do if there is an immigration activity happening in their place, how to protect themselves, how to protect their employees, what that looks like, as well as for individuals," said Rodriguez Aguirre.

Meanwhile, Maria says although some criminals are being arrested during these operations, she wants people to know not all Latinos are criminals.

She wishes there were some type of amnesty for those who have a clean record and pay their taxes.

"Imagine what it's like for businesses like us, that live day to day. We're not a big business. We're a small business that is barely starting. So what's going to happen? What's going to happen to our business? Do I have to sell it or close it," said Maria.

The chamber is also encouraging people to support these businesses by going to diverse neighborhoods and shopping locally. They say speaking out and letting them know you appreciate them goes a long way.

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