June 23, 2026
Contact:
Angela Herrera Perez, Senior Public Information Specialist press@opportunity.lacounty.gov
One Year Later, LA County DEO Reaffirms Commitment to Small Businesses and Workers Impacted by Federal Immigration Enforcement
Los Angeles, CA — One year after federal immigration enforcement actions intensified across Los Angeles County, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is reaffirming its commitment to supporting small businesses and workers impacted by the resulting economic disruptions.
Following the June 17, 2025, Board motion authored by Los Angeles County Chair Hilda L. Solis and Supervisor Janice Hahn, DEO mobilized with County and regional partners to assess local impacts and connect affected communities to resources. Partners included the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), including its Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) and Office of Labor Equity (OLE), the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), the Los Angeles Economic Equity Accelerator & Fellowship (LEEAF), community-based organizations, schools, and other regional partners.
“One year ago, I sounded the alarm about the harm these inhumane federal immigration raids were causing across our communities,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “The past year has made clear that these cruel actions come at a real cost, not only to immigrant families, but also to workers, small businesses, local industries, and our regional economy. Immigrant workers and entrepreneurs are essential to the prosperity and vitality of our region. When people are afraid to go to work, take their children to school, or participate in daily life, the consequences extend far beyond individual households and ripple throughout entire communities. We will continue to stand with immigrant families, reject policies rooted in fear and exclusion, and invest in the workers and small businesses whose contributions help power our economy and strengthen communities across the region.”
As part of this effort, DEO worked with LAEDC to release the “Economic Impacts of Federal Immigration Enforcement in Los Angeles County” report, which highlighted the critical role that immigrant and undocumented workers play in the County’s economy. The report found that undocumented workers contribute an estimated $253.9 billion in total economic output, equivalent to 17 percent of Los Angeles County’s Gross Domestic Product, while supporting more than 1.06 million jobs and generating $80.4 billion in labor income across industries, including construction, manufacturing, retail, and services.
As immediate community needs emerged, DEO launched a dedicated immigration resource webpage to centralize information and support for impacted workers and businesses. Through the webpage, DEO and OIA made available ‘Know Your Rights’ webinar recordings and red cards, toolkits for employers and employees when confronted with immigration enforcement, and relevant resources from the County and partners. DEO’s Office of Small Business (OSB) canvassed impacted communities to ensure these resources are widely accessible regardless of language and digital access.
Building on these outreach and support efforts, DEO launched the Small Business Resiliency Fund (SBRF) on September 29, 2025. The Fund provided up to $5,000 in direct relief to eligible small businesses impacted by curfews, reduced customer activity, property damage, workforce disruptions, and revenue loss associated with federal immigration enforcement activity. The SBRF awarded $5.4 million to 1,327 businesses across Los Angeles County, including 839 storefront businesses, 409 street vendors, and 79 independent contractors or home-based businesses. Awarded businesses represent a broad cross-section of the local economy, including retail trade, restaurants, manufacturing, wholesale trade, healthcare, construction, and other neighborhood-serving industries.
“Small businesses and workers are essential to the strength, culture, and vitality of Los Angeles County,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of DEO. “When federal immigration enforcement disrupted livelihoods and local economies, DEO moved quickly with County and community partners to deliver trusted information, direct relief, and workforce support. One year later, we remain committed to meeting immigrant workers, entrepreneurs, and families with the resources they need to recover and stay resilient.”
The SBRF helped owners like Karen Madrid Cruz of Keren 504 Fruits, who experienced safety concerns, reduced customer activity, and income loss. The SBRF provided critical support that helped her continue operating her street vending business and serving local residents. “This support helped me recover lost income and continue operating my small business,” said Cruz. “It means a lot to know that street vendors are seen and supported.”
Brick-and-mortar businesses like Adonarm Flowers, a family-owned florist serving weddings, quinceañeras, memorial services, and community events, and Taqueria Ameca, a longtime family-owned restaurant known for traditional Mexican cuisine, faced and continue to face similar challenges. Both small businesses reported declines in sales, customer traffic, and overall business activity following the enforcement actions. “We are very grateful for this funding,” said Armando Torres owner of Adonarm Flowers. “It helped us stabilize our business during a difficult economic period.”
To further support impacted families and young people, DEO expanded Youth@Work opportunities by increasing allowable work experience hours from 150 to 400 hours for transitional-age youth supporting their families due to separation from parental figures or household economic hardship. DEO also partnered with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), Cal State LA, and other education partners to ensure timely information reached students, parents, and caregivers. Eligible youth can continue to enroll in the program this summer.
DEO and LA County continue to provide information, resources, and a shared commitment among partners to immigrants and their impact on LA County’s culture, community, and economy. For more information and resources available through DEO, visit opportunity.lacounty.gov/immigration/.
###
About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has a vision for a more equitable economy with thriving communities, inclusive and sustainable growth, and opportunity and mobility for all. The department, with its America’s Job Centers of California, Office of Small Business, LA County Film Office, and hundreds of programs and partners, creates quality jobs, helps small businesses and high-road employers start and grow, and builds vibrant communities and spaces. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.