South Richmond Hill, home to Little Guyana, has long been a thriving business hub for the Caribbean community in Queens. However, stricter immigration policies under the new Trump administration have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Business owners say that fear over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and deportations have led to declining customers and workers, making it increasingly difficult to sustain their businesses. The impact is already being felt across the neighborhood, just one month into the new administration.
Shivani, the manager of a Caribbean restaurant on Liberty Avenue, is confronting this reality firsthand. She says she has seen a sharp decline in business over recent weeks because workers and shoppers alike are fearful. The restaurant serves about 100 customers daily, not including online orders, Shivani added. “Our lines are usually out the door on weekends and reach the door on weekdays,” she said. “January is typically a slow month, but it was slower than usual due to immigration-related fears in the community.”
According to The Migration Policy Institute, about 14,000 Caribbean immigrants in Queens are undocumented, making up roughly 6% of the borough’s immigrant population.
“People are just scared to come out,” said Shivani, who asked to only use her first name. “At first, about two weeks ago, when everything started, there was a noticeable decline. Customers would buy their food and leave or order through Uber Eats. They weren’t dining in like before.”
Shivani said the business district has slowed significantly over the past few weeks. The bustling hub, where many immigrants from Guyana and Trinidad typically gather to socialize and shop, now appears subdued as fear of raids and deportations keeps many away.
The businesswoman also shared how the situation has impacted staffing at her restaurant, where employees hold varying immigration statuses.
“Workers are scared, especially the first two weeks, some of them stopped coming to work. We’ve also had situations where patrons would spread false information about raids happening nearby, causing our workers to leave and we would have to man the restaurant ourselves which is extremely frustrating…I can’t be upset with them because they have to protect themselves,” Shivani said.
Despite no confirmed enforcement actions, business owners say that fear of ICE raids and ongoing uncertainty have led to a noticeable decline in both customers and workers.
“If this does happen, that’s the end of New York, honestly. They come for one restaurant, that’s all the restaurants…And there’s a lot of fear-mongering and false news going around that they’ve raided a few places on Liberty,” said Shivani, who has owned and operated her restaurant for 30 years. “I haven’t seen any raids, and I have a relationship with most of the business owners in this community, and no business has had any raids,” she added.
Her concerns are shared by other small business owners in communities like Richmond Hill and Ozone Park. Keren E., who owns a driving school and a spa in South Ozone Park, is facing similar challenges. She has seen a decline in customers seeking driving lessons, while her spa has been hit the hardest. With a customer base that includes individuals of mixed immigration status, fear of enforcement actions has kept many from using her services.
“I operate in an immigrant community, and it didn’t matter if you were undocumented or not you could get a driver’s license in New York,” said Keren, who preferred not to disclose her last name. “But since the new president took office, it has been a huge struggle because people aren’t even coming outside in Queens. I’m working extremely hard to maintain my livelihood.”
Keren, who has been in business for over eight years, empathizes with undocumented individuals who are afraid to go to work due to fears of detention and possible deportation.
“As someone heavily involved in the Little Guyana community through my charity work, when I visit Liberty Avenue, it’s unbelievable how empty it is,” she said. “Other business owners keep complaining to me about their workers not turning up because they are scared.” Keren said she has made several adjustments to accommodate customers and protect her business as fears continue to grow.
“I had to change the business hours of my spa because people weren’t coming, and I have to pay rent and staff and other expenses, so I am looking at the future of my spa, and it’s very discouraging,” she said.
For employees, the fear is just as overwhelming. Aleema F., an undocumented immigrant from Guyana who works as a receptionist at a medical office, shared how the fear of being detained has left her unable to support her family.
“Inauguration day was the last time I worked because I’m afraid to take the subway,” said Aleema, a mother of three.. “If I’m detained, my children will suffer tremendously, and I can’t let that happen. But at the same time, providing for them has become incredibly difficult. Even sending them to school is a major concern. Our lives have been completely disrupted.”
As businesses struggle to stay afloat, many owners hold on to hope that customers and employees will regain a sense of security, Shivani said.
“This city was built by immigrants, and every restaurant here is run by immigrants, which makes New York the melting pot, so I am hoping that we can have things return to normalcy for everyone soon,” Shivani noted.
Keren said she has no alternative business plans if the current challenges persist, as she has invested her entire savings into these ventures.
