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Watsonville Farmers Market Chilled by ICE Presence
Good Times Santa Cruz ^ | Todd Guild

Posted on 08/01/2025 1:10:54 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Have a plan, know your rights, manager says

On a normal Friday afternoon, the farmers market in downtown Watsonville is a bustling, joyous event, with gaggles of children playing in a bounce house and families happily in long lines to purchase fresh produce and freshly made food.

But since President Donald Trump took office in January—and the Republican-led government began enforcing his hardline immigration policies—the definition of ‘normal’ has shifted significantly.

Now, with fears that immigration officials could be patrolling communities on the lookout for undocumented residents, many people are opting to stay away from events that normally encourage large gatherings.

Ivan’s Baked Potatoes, which has been a mainstay at the Watsonville market for more than 20 years, usually boasts a line of dozens of people.

Vanessa Cosio, whose family owns the stand, said that the crowds at the Hollister farmers market have also been lower, and were significantly down at the recent Salinas Rodeo.

“Seeing that impact is sad, because it impacts not just us, but all of the local businesses,” she said. “We’ve definitely had a hit, but hopefully we get better days.”

“We want to support the community any way we can,” Cosio added. “They supported us for many years, and this affects us not just business-wise, but seeing our community in pain and scared, that definitely is sad.”

Alvaro Acosta, whose business MJ Bees Honey began selling last year, said he has seen a 30% decline in his walk-up business at both the Watsonville and the Salinas markets.

“Everyone is afraid,” he said. “They don’t feel free walking around.”

The same is true at the Tu Universo farms produce stand, said that some customers are now having their food delivered, rather than risk going to the market in person.

Citlalli Nunez, 23, who has been working at the Watsonville farmers market for 14 years, said she has seen a huge decline in business at local markets.

“Ever since we got the notice that ice was in town, people are scared,” she said. “But I try to encourage people to come out and get what they need, because everyone has to eat.”

Farmers Market Manager Jesus Madrigal said the problem is the same across the U.S.

“I think there are a lot of people who are afraid of being out,” he said.

One vendor stopped coming, saying they said they didn’t want to put their employees at risk.

“You get the feeling it’s not very festive,” he said. “It feels more quiet.”

Madrigal says he has not yet seen any immigration enforcement at the market.

A big part of the problem, he said, is that many people are spreading rumors that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are in town—and even at the market—without first checking on the truth of the claims.

In Santa Cruz County, that can be done through Your Allied Rapid Response (YARR) and in Monterey County at the Solidarity Network Monterey County Response.

Spreading rumors without checking their veracity, Madrigal said, can unnecessarily scare residents and harm businesses.

Still, there have been confirmed actions by ICE in both Watsonville and Santa Cruz.

According to the city of Watsonville, ICE contacted Watsonville eight times between March 1 and June 19 to say they were conducting various operations, and each time called to report when they were finished. The federal agency did not, however, request assistance from WPD.

“There are a lot of people that are afraid, for very good reasons, and we see that throughout the country,” Madrigal said. “There is a fear that if you are legally here and you happen to look a certain way, they will take you.”

The foot traffic now, he said, is far lower than the 3,000-plus people he usually sees on a typical Friday.

“I’d like to say don’t be afraid, but I can’t say that because it is happening throughout California and throughout the country. The fear is real,” he said.

He suggests people have a plan wherever they go, and to refer to the “red card” listing everyone’s rights and responses when contacted by immigration officials.

“Everybody has rights, even if they are illegally here,” Madrigal said.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Business/Economy; Local News
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To: nickcarraway

An entire region of America was allowed to operate outside the law. Illegal Aliens freely engaging in commerce.

They are in fact “Outlaws” and should all be tested as such.
Illegally present in America?
GTFO. Every last one.
Your business depends on slave labor and selling to illegals?
Shut it all down and prosecute the lawbreakers

America has had enough of this shiiite.


21 posted on 08/01/2025 3:01:08 PM PDT by Macoozie (Roll MAGA, roll!)
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To: nickcarraway
but seeing our community in pain and scared

The illegal aliens can always go home, where they won't have pain and be scared.

22 posted on 08/01/2025 3:03:48 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: central_va

Yes, they do actually. I’ve seen plenty and posted the same.


23 posted on 08/01/2025 3:04:02 PM PDT by Lizavetta
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To: nickcarraway
“There is a fear that if you are legally here and you happen to look a certain way, they will take you.”

Your Real-ID Driver License or State Identification will show that you belong here. Or your "Green Card". Or your Passport Card.

Yeah ... it is a bummer that Citizens may have to carry "papers" ... and I don't like "papieren, bitte" any better than anyone. But YOU caused it by allowing and profiting from the presence of tens of millions of illegal aliens.

24 posted on 08/01/2025 3:07:09 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: nickcarraway

good news

there are farmers markets, rodeos and even bouncy houses

in their home country


25 posted on 08/01/2025 4:30:47 PM PDT by joshua c
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To: nickcarraway

Everybody has rights, even if they are illegally here,” Madrigal said.

==

i agree

if you cannot prove your legal status

you have the right to be deported


26 posted on 08/01/2025 4:33:55 PM PDT by joshua c
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To: nickcarraway

Yep, strawberries.


27 posted on 08/01/2025 5:32:01 PM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: nickcarraway

In California, the woke propaganda is ceaseless, ubiquitous, and accepted as normal by much of the population. Many people are so accustomed to it that they accept it as reality and don’t even recognize it for what it is.


28 posted on 08/01/2025 6:43:20 PM PDT by Savage Beast (Were it not for Trump, woke would have been more devastating than all the horrors, wars and plagues.)
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To: nickcarraway

Watsonville.

It’s the ATM’s and the traffic lights ICE is watching, ATMs at gas stations, Bars.........better self deport now.

😂😂😁😂😁😂

🤣🤣😂🤣😂🤣


29 posted on 08/02/2025 12:20:57 AM PDT by BFW (loss of signal)
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To: BFW

Trust me, you could have an illegal parade all through town, and they’d have nothing to worry about.


30 posted on 08/02/2025 12:23:36 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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