New report shows the economic toll of ICE raids
A University of Illinois Chicago study reveals that immigration crackdowns in early 2025 caused a $1.26 billion economic loss for local businesses. The fear of ICE raids led to a significant drop in consumer mobility and retail activity across Cook County.
Why it matters
It demonstrates the broader economic ripple effects of immigration enforcement policies on non-immigrant businesses and tax revenues.
A new study shows that the widespread fear and isolation caused by the immigration crackdowns that began in early 2025 had a significant economic toll on Chicago commerce, draining over $1.26 billion from local businesses.
The report , published by the University of Illinois Chicago, used anonymous cellphone GPS data to track movement between immigrant and non-immigrant neighborhoods throughout Chicago's Cook County. Researchers found that the routine back-and-forth between these areas collapsed almost immediately after President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025, amid rampant rumors and the subsequent sweeps that Chicago would be targeted for immediate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
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