\u201cSince the president sent ICE to New York City, most of the vendors in my community have run,\u201d said Calvin Baker, a street vendor from Harlem. \u201cThey\u2019ve had to run, so it\u2019s hard for them to make money. They sneak out maybe once or twice a week, hoping their things or themselves won\u2019t be confiscated. If your things are taken, you have to show who you are. And if you can\u2019t prove citizenship, they\u2019re looking for immigrants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many immigrants choose street vending as a source of income because of its low start-up costs and fewer barriers to entry.\n<\/p>\n
Among immigrant mobile food vendors, 27% are undocumented, while 39% are permanent residents or naturalized citizens. Another 30% preferred not to answer, according to the study.<\/p>\n
Among general merchandise vendors who are immigrants, 67% are permanent residents or naturalized citizens, while 13% are undocumented. Nineteen percent preferred not to answer.<\/p>\n
Although the percentage of street vendors who are undocumented immigrants is low, vendors as a whole are targeted in ICE raids. Many find it difficult to earn an income due to fear of detention.<\/p>\n
Some street vendors have been personally targeted by ICE, or know others who have. Guadalupe Sosa, a second-generation street vendor from East Harlem, has not been personally affected, but has heard stories from fellow members of the Street Vendor Project<\/a> who were targeted.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have heard that some of our members show up to their ICE appointments and we haven\u2019t heard back from them,\u201d Sosa said. \u201cSome are scared to show up in person, so they try to do it virtually, but that costs more money than most street vendors have. We are targeted every day by law enforcement, who take our merchandise or force us to run or hide for safety.\u201d\u200b<\/p>\n A threat by President Trump\u2019s border czar, Tom Homan, of increased federal customs enforcement in New York City has raised questions about how immigrants, especially street vendors, can protect themselves from ICE.<\/p>\n In response, organizations such as the Street Vendor Project and Make the Road New York<\/a> have increased resources for street vendors and immigrants. These include legal and financial assistance, Know Your Rights trainings and other services.\u200b<\/p>\n In addition to these resources, advocates say reforming street vending laws is necessary to ensure vendors\u2019 safety.\n<\/p>\n City Council Member Pierna Sanchez said this is why passing legislation like Intro 431-A<\/a>, which would ensure vendors have access to business licenses, is important. As the child and granddaughter of street vendors, the issue resonates deeply with Sanchez.<\/p>\n Sanchez said 80% to 90% of street vendors today are unlicensed, meaning most have not interacted with the government to learn how to vend in New York City in an orderly manner. This, she said, has led to disorganization on city streets.<\/p>\n![\"Street](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251112_124450-rotated.jpg\" "\\"Selling")
<\/a>Street vendors gathered at City Hall in November for International Street Vendor Day.Photo by Taliah Gabriel<\/p>\n
![\"Street](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251112_124423-rotated.jpg\" "\\"Selling")
<\/a>Street vendors gathered at City Hall in November for International Street Vendor Day.Photo by Taliah Gabriel<\/p>\n