Jan 08, 2025
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Completely empty, even through the lunch rush...even the heart of the Hispanic community, Mercado Latino, received a visit from a Border Patrol unit on Wednesday. "As you can see, it's completely lonely, it's…nobody's here," said General Manager of Mercado Latino, Miguel Flores. Flores said around 30% of businesses closed on Wednesday. Flores says he asked Border Patrol Agents why they were there in the first place. "Well, his answer was a very dumb answer, he said 'Oh, we are looking for Walmart'," said Flores. A nearby Chevron saw a significant drop in business a day after it was raided by Border Patrol Agents. "Today business was horrible, no field workers at all, maybe like, around, I would say that I counted myself that I'd seen three," said Sara Fuentes, Manager of Chevron. Now, Fuentes is being targeted by angry community members. "We started receiving calls today, they're harassing us for what we did yesterday," she said. "That we were against it because we called the media." Palisades Fire torches 1,000 structures, most destructive in Los Angeles history Community members say they're still at a loss as to why Border Patrol would be in Kern County. "No, I do not want Border Patrol here," said RJ Vasquez, Bakersfield native. "The border is 400 miles away, or however many miles away, there's no reason they should be in Kern County." As many seek answers and fear for their future, staff at Mercado Latino look to maintain the safe space for Latinos. "We are here with our security, just to protect our property and protect our people," said Flores. The Hispanic community in Kern County as united as ever. "I think it's doing a lot more damage than it is…I don't think it's going any good, first of all," said RJ Vasquez. "I think it's doing a lot of damage."
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