In 1828 the Democrats asked, “if we end slavery, who will pick our cotton?” In 2025 the Democrats ask, “If we deport illegal aliens, who will pick our crops?” In almost 200 years the Democrat Party has not moved from its stand in support of slavery.
“A significant impact is evident at a popular farmers market on Houston’s north side, typically busy with hundreds of visitors. Vendors now report a sharp decline in attendance as fear of immigration raids keeps many people away.
“I hear that the people are very afraid. There is no one around,” said one vendor. “They aren’t coming out to buy anything anymore because of immigration. But I say you shouldn’t be afraid.”
Another vendor described the extent of the fear: “Right now, with these raids happening, there’s no one around. There’s no work, but there is still people. People are asking others who are documented to go out and buy milk for the ones that are undocumented because they’re afraid to come out.”
Vendors have noticed fewer people shopping since these operations began.
Tony Payan, director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University, explained the broader consequences during an interview with KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun.
Payan noted that these enforcement actions are creating significant anxiety within Houston’s immigrant community, which includes an estimated 600,000 undocumented individuals.
Houston has 600,000 people the Democrats want to exploit. Maybe those jobs could be taken by Americans? That would end the welfare and billions for illegal aliens and give paychecks to Americans—a win-win. I can not understand who Democrats openly exploit human beings and the media applauds it.
Houston farmers market sees decline amid immigration raid fears
Click2Houston, 1/29/25 https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/01/29/houston-farmers-market-sees-decline-amid-immigration-raid-fears/
Houston farmers market sees decline amid immigration raid fears
HOUSTON – Houston is grappling with the ripple effects of targeted immigration operations conducted by federal agents over the weekend. The enforcement measures are part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to crack down on undocumented immigrants, a key campaign promise.
A significant impact is evident at a popular farmers market on Houston’s north side, typically busy with hundreds of visitors. Vendors now report a sharp decline in attendance as fear of immigration raids keeps many people away.
“I hear that the people are very afraid. There is no one around,” said one vendor. “They aren’t coming out to buy anything anymore because of immigration. But I say you shouldn’t be afraid.”
Another vendor described the extent of the fear: “Right now, with these raids happening, there’s no one around. There’s no work, but there is still people. People are asking others who are documented to go out and buy milk for the ones that are undocumented because they’re afraid to come out.”
Vendors have noticed fewer people shopping since these operations began.
Tony Payan, director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University, explained the broader consequences during an interview with KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun.
Payan noted that these enforcement actions are creating significant anxiety within Houston’s immigrant community, which includes an estimated 600,000 undocumented individuals.
“People are going to avoid showing up for work, going to grocery stores, or even being out in public, especially if they know there are worksite raids happening,” Payan said. “It’s creating a lot of stress, and many families are afraid of being detected, deported, or separated.”
Payan also highlighted the critical role undocumented immigrants play in Houston’s economy. He explained that many are employed in key sectors such as construction, hospitality, food processing, and cleaning services.
“If these workers are removed from the workforce, businesses may face labor shortages and higher costs, which could lead to inflation,” he said.
Director of Center for U.S. and Mexico at Rice University discusses immigration labor market
“They may not seem like it, but many of them actually pay taxes minimally,” Payan added. “Of course, they pay the 8.25% sales tax on everything they purchase, and many of them actually manage to pay even income tax through the use of stolen or fake Social Security numbers.”
When asked about the long-term impact, Payan warned that removing large numbers of workers without creating alternative visa paths could harm the economy.
“If businesses can’t find replacements for these workers, we’ll see delays in construction projects, disruptions in food production, and challenges in other key industries,” he said.
KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun asked how the idea of increasing wages for citizens in certain job roles could be considered a negative, especially when it might be seen as beneficial to the overall economy.
Payan explained that while higher wages could seem advantageous, they could lead to higher prices for consumers. As fewer workers are available, those who do fill the positions may move between restaurants, demanding increasingly higher pay. This cycle could result in restaurants raising their prices to accommodate a more expensive labor force, ultimately impacting the cost of dining out.
“If you begin to take workers out of the workforce and force wages up, that’s going to push inflation up,” Payan said. “Removing workers from the workforce will force the government, of course, to, I think, consider that inflation is not going to be easily fought because then prices wages will be going up.”
Despite these concerns, some vendors remain resilient.
“I have 21 years here. I am not afraid,” one vendor said. “If the president wants me to stay, I’ll stay; if not, then I’ll go. It’s whatever God wants me to do.”
For now, the situation at the farmers market reflects the broader challenges posed by immigration enforcement efforts, leaving communities uncertain about the road ahead.
