For 25 years, Gricelda Mata has owned Lindo Mexico Restaurant in the city of Wyoming.
Monday, she visited another restaurant, MeXo Restaurant in Grand Rapids to share lunch and her concerns with Democratic Michigan U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin.
”I wanted her to know how much we’re struggling as business owners not just due to immigration policies but also tariffs. It affects us not only financially but emotionally.”
Several Hispanic community leaders spoke of the pervasive fear among the Latino population over immigration rights, deportations, and the unknown.
Nancy Quero owns Guelaguetza Designs, a store specializing in Mexican clothing and décor. She says fear drove down attendance at last weekend’s Grand Rapids Hispanic Festival.
“I had a booth over there. We saw less people, obviously less sales. We know, too, many businesses backed out – they didn’t show up because of that.”
Senator Slotkin urged leaders to make sure anyone stopped by police knows their rights when it comes to legal status and urged anyone who has an issue to call her office for help.
“No matter what you’re political leaning is, I don’t’ think the average Michigander likes seeing people grabbed off the street. They understand why people are scared.”
Gricelda Mata agrees.
“We’re just here to work and do our thing, to live a good life and provide employment, and that’s it. Just like everybody else.”
