A federal immigration raid on June 6 in downtown Los Angeles has sent shockwaves through the Korean American garment industry, particularly in the Fashion Districtโs Jobber Market. Officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a sudden operation targeting undocumented immigrants, heightening concern among clothing manufacturers and sewing businesses.
Some employees witnessed large-scale arrests during the raid, sparking fear among undocumented workers and disrupting workplace morale. Industry insiders say anxiety about deportation is spreading among staff.
Bryan Lee, president of the Korean American Apparel Manufacturers Association, said, โWe regularly emphasize to our members the importance of complying with federal and state labor laws and hiring with care.โ He added, โSome member companies are now nervous, and it is a real concern among some that they could be targeted next.โ
A Korean American business owner in the Fashion District shared, โAround 9:30 a.m., word spread quickly that agents had arrived. For the first time, we witnessed undocumented workers being arrested in the Jobber Market. Many of our Hispanic employees were visibly shaken.โ He added, โSome workers may not show up next Monday, and if many skip work, it could hurt our operations.โ
Another Korean American employer, who requested anonymity, highlighted ongoing difficulties in verifying work documents. โWe ask for ID or Social Security cards during hiring, but itโs hard to know if theyโre real,โ the employer said. โSome businesses knowingly overlook this because of labor shortagesโthatโs the reality.โ
Industry stakeholders believe the operation may not be an isolated incident and are preparing for additional enforcement actions. One source noted, โAuthorities [appear to be] targeting areas with large Hispanic populations like Home Depot and the Jobber Market.โ The source added, โKorean American business owners should double-check employee documentation to avoid hiring undocumented workers.โ
The Korean American Federation of Los Angeles issued a statement on June 6 expressing concern over the ICE operation. โThe harm and confusion caused to both Koreans and local residents is severe,โ the organization said. โWe strongly condemn the federal enforcement actions and call on local elected officials to take urgent measures.โ
BY HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
