Deportation Campaign Impacts Labor and Customer Base in Long Island

Immigrant workers from El Salvador, Honduras, and Ecuador support neighborhood businesses in Long Island. However, the Trump administration's deportation campaign has caused some workers to leave or not show up for work. Gabino’s Diner, which serves a largely Latino clientele, reported a 20% business decline after the increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Since January 2025, ICE has arrested at least 2,980 people on Long Island as part of this campaign.

The loss of both immigrant workers and immigrant customers is adding to the business climate struggles for Long Island restaurants. These establishments rely heavily on this labor force, which is described as the lifeblood of Long Island restaurants. The campaign is also causing customers to avoid restaurants that cater to immigrants.