California backs street vendors against ICE raids

Street vendor becomes face of campaign

Andrés, a sweet popsicle seller in Los Angeles, is the image for a Heaven Sent clothing campaign raising funds for immigrant workers affected by ICE raids.

Clothing brand partners with immigrant rights group

Heaven Sent launched the campaign with Chirla, the Coalition for the Human Rights of Immigrants, to collect money for vulnerable migrants and street traders in Los Angeles.

Street vendors generate half a billion dollars

Street vending generates more than five hundred million dollars in economic activity, according to Nonprofit Quarterly, yet vendors face continuous expenses including rent and cart fees.

ICE detained over four thousand in six weeks

Between June sixth and August seventh, twenty twenty-five, the Department of Homeland Security detained more than four thousand people in southern California, forcing vendors to abandon their carts.

California restricts sharing vendor information

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB six thirty-five on October seventh, twenty twenty-five, restricting local governments from sharing street vendor information except by court order or subpoena.

Law stops local governments aiding ICE

Javier Hernández, executive director of Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, said the law means local governments will no longer serve as intermediaries for ICE over minor infractions.

“California adopts a firm stance: local governments will no longer serve as intermediaries for ICE over minor infractions.”