Local businesses feeling the effects of heightened ICE fears

Changes in federal immigration policies and rhetoric from the White House have had a chilling effect on immigrants, families and friends, trickling down to the businesses that are both built by and support these communities.

Among those are Castaneda's Mexican Food and Aldo's Mexican Food in the city of Coachella.

Arturo Ruiz, manager at Castañeda's Mexican Food, says sales have dropped by as much as 70% the past couple of weeks.

This is impacting more than just revenue, but the way some of these restaurants operate, like cutting worker hours.

“Everything was working out well. There were people out on the street, look right now, it’s empty. Traffic is down. People aren’t coming out.”

Arturo Ruiz, manager at Castañeda's Mexican Food

Owners like Hector Avalos at Aldo's Mexican Food, say they're expanding services to try to attract as many people as they can.

“We’re trying to get out there where we can deliver, home deliveries. Obviously more costs but I think that’s the only function we can find now.”

Hector Avalos, co-owner at Aldo's Mexican Food

Ruiz and Avalos say as long as fear continues, they'll have to deal with the economic impacts.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.