ICE Shut Down This Latino Market — Without Even Showing Up fear of immigration raids recently pushed the organizers of the Broadacres Marketplace in Las Vegas to temporarily close its doors, effectively shuttering a vibrant place at the very heart of the city’s Latino community.
The familiar bustle of this beloved marketplace, a central gathering point for so many, has been replaced with an eerie quiet. This decision marks only the second extended closure in Broadacres Marketplace’s nearly 50-year history. The only other time it closed for more than a brief period was during the initial months of the 2020 pandemic, according to longtime vendors.
This powerful ripple effect highlights a critical truth: when local businesses are hurt, the entire local community suffers. It’s not just undocumented individuals; it’s their children, their families, and the numerous customers who rely on these businesses for essential items and a sense of community.
Rico Ocampo, whose family has been selling goods at Broadacres for over 20 years, shared his family’s painful awareness of ICE activity across the country. Yet, he noted that the sudden decision to close Broadacres, driven purely by fear and the threat of raids, still caught them completely off-guard. The impact of such actions, even when indirect, is profound and far-reaching.
