Nobody’s in the Streets Now in Brooklyn’s Little Haiti
‘A Huge Change in People’s Fear’
Over the 15 years that Pierre Jean has lived in Brooklyn, his daily earnings as a taxi driver have often reflected people’s activities and movements. Last Friday, as he stood outside a florist shop along Nostrand Avenue, Jean said the $70 to $80 per day he had been earning recently dipped to well below half in the past week. That Friday, he had made only $30 by the afternoon — hardly enough to pay for gas, he said.
“Nobody’s in the streets,” said Jean, a U.S. resident of 32 years. “They’re afraid ICE will check their papers. And even with legal papers, they’re afraid ICE will deport them.”
Along the Flatbush thoroughfare Friday, several residents and business owners shared similar stories of declining business and general activity since President Donald Trump launched his widely-publicized crackdown led by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite the White House’s claim that deportations target “illegal criminals,” a combination of actual arrests and unverified rumors of raids has caused many immigrants to curb their activities.
In this Central Brooklyn neighborhood, still home to mostly Caribbean immigrants, store owners, retail workers, vendors and community advocates say people are staying away out of fear of being swept up in the ICE raids.
The manager of the Green Village Meat Market on Nostrand Avenue, I.V. – who asked to be identified by his initials for fear of retribution – said one of his three cashiers, whom he believes is Guyanese, quit on Wednesday out of fear.
“We all have families. If it’s not you, it might be one of your family members,” said I.V., a Mexico native living in the United States legally.
Customers at the checkout counter at the Green Village Meat Market.
I.V. said Haitians make up about 80% of his clientele and Fridays are one of the busiest days for the shop, conveniently located near the Newkirk Avenue-Little Haiti subway stop in the heart of Little Haiti.
“Everybody’s afraid. Right now, I have two customers,” I.V. said. “It should be packed.”
Related
The Impact on the Community
In New York’s Haitian community, as in much of the U.S., most people have legal immigration status. Still, community members say their trust in the U.S. government and in local officials’ ability to protect them in this sanctuary city is dwindling as ICE enforces Trump’s vow of mass deportations.
Arrests were made on Tuesday in Manhattan and the Bronx as part of what ICE has called “enhanced targeted operations” in major cities that began on Jan. 26 in Chicago. ICE’s X account displays hundreds of daily arrests since Trump took office Jan. 20. According to reporting by the Washington Post, Trump has directed ICE officers to increase daily arrests from the mid-hundreds to at least 1,200 to 1,500 a day.
Whether undocumented Haitians have been swept up in the raids is unknown, let alone whether any detentions have led to deportations. What is known is that most recent Haitian arrivals are living and working in the U.S. legally through Temporary Protected Status (TPS), valid until February 2026, as well as humanitarian parole, asylum or refugee programs, or standard family reunification.
Still, with Trump threatening to revoke these protections – potentially stripping many of their legal status – many Haitians feel particularly vulnerable. To avoid being a casualty of what Trump called “collateral arrests,” some community members and legal immigrants are opting not to work or attend regular activities.
Conclusion
The fear and uncertainty caused by the ICE raids have had a significant impact on the Haitian community in Brooklyn’s Little Haiti. With many residents and business owners staying away out of fear, the community is struggling to cope with the consequences of these actions. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to remember the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
FAQs
Q: What is the impact of the ICE raids on the Haitian community in Brooklyn’s Little Haiti?
A: The ICE raids have caused a significant decline in business and activity in the community, with many residents and business owners staying away out of fear.
Q: What is the current legal status of most Haitian immigrants in the U.S.?
A: Most Haitian immigrants are living and working in the U.S. legally through Temporary Protected Status (TPS), valid until February 2026, as well as humanitarian parole, asylum or refugee programs, or standard family reunification.
Q: What is the purpose of the ICE raids?
A: According to ICE, the purpose of the raids is to target “illegal criminals” and deport those who are in the U.S. illegally. However, many community members and legal immigrants are afraid of being swept up in the raids, regardless of their immigration status.
