Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — In the wake of immigration policies and crackdowns from the Trump Administration, the streets of East Somerville are a bit quieter than usual.
The neighborhood that borders Charlestown and Cambridge has a large immigrant population and about 75% of businesses there are immigrant-owned. City Councilor Matt McLaughlin, who represents the area, said many customers aren't shopping there because they're scared of ICE crackdowns.
"This is a time when people start to eat more and start to go out more and that's not happening," Councilor McLaughlin said. "It's also a concern to our tax revenues because immigrants are an economic engine in this community and in this country."
Businesses along the neighborhood's main artery, Broadway, are concerned not only for their customers but for their own bottom lines. Michael owns Gauchao, a Brazilian restaurant on Broadway, and he said he's noticed a change in the neighborhood since the inauguration.
"There's barely anyone walking around," he said. "I feel like everyone's scared about what's going on politically. We have a couple of regulars that don't really show up here anymore."
McLaughlin said he's concerned for the future of the area if this trend continues.
"We already have a number of buildings that are abandoned or not being used," he said. "Now we're adding these political reasons that are impacting the community."
Somerville and Chelsea filed a lawsuit together accusing the Trump Administration of trying to coerce both cities into complying with federal immigration orders by threatening their federal funding.
WBZ's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.