The Indicator from Planet Money · Monday, August 31, 2026
New research suggests that increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity is negatively impacting local economies. A study by a University of Pennsylvania professor found that ICE's ramped-up arrests lead to significant declines in consumer spending and foot traffic, even among non-immigrants.
“An analysis by UC Berkeley and UCLA's deportation data project finds that ICE arrested nearly 50,000 people in July, making it the biggest month for ICE arrests since President Trump took office again.”
“When ICE shows up, businesses experience a significant decline in foot traffic and a significant decline in spending.”
“The people who stopped showing up to work or to shop or who spent less are not just immigrants and Hispanics. It's non-immigrants and non-Hispanics, everybody. It's an economy driven by fear.”