How would mass deportation affect Southwest Florida?

A CONVICTION. >> I MEAN, THIS TOWN BUILT ON MIGRANTS, BUT AGAIN, THE WORK HERE. 90% ALL HISPANIC. IT'S GOT A QB ALL OF MEXICO AND YOU NAME IT. WANT TO DO JOB. >> IT'S A MAJOR ISSUE POSSIBLY FACING THOUSANDS ACROSS OUR AREA. FEARS OVER DEPORTATION. THEY'RE GROWING TONIGHT WITH IMMIGRATION. A TOP PRIORITY IN THE NEW ADMINISTRATION. FLORIDA HAS THE 4TH HIGHEST POPULATION OF IMMIGRANTS IN OUR COUNTRY. SO HOW COULD WE SEE THOSE NUMBERS CHANGE, ESPECIALLY IN OUR LOCAL FARMING COMMUNITIES. TONIGHT, ABC SEVEN'S ALEXA LENSES IN AND KNOCK ALI TALKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS. >> IMMOKALEE IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE STRETCH OF THE GULF COAST. I SPOKE WITH A RESTAURANT OWNER HERE WHO SAYS THAT MASS DEPORTATIONS WOULD BE DEVASTATING, NOT JUST FOR THE COMMUNITY BUT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES WHO RELY HEAVILY ON FOREIGN WORKERS. >> I COULD LOSE MY BUNESS JUST LIKE TODAY. DANNY GONZALES IS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER, BUT IT ALL STARTED WITH GROWING UP IN IMMOKALEE AS A KID. HE WORKED IN THE FIELDS AND PACKING HOUSES AFTER SCHOOL. DOLLARS. >> IT DEPENDED ON MY KIDS. >> JUST A WORK IN TOWN. HE SAYS MASS DEPORTATION WOULD BE DEVASTATING IN THIS TOWN. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE OF THE 4. THERE'S A LOT OF OFF THE RESTAURANTS ALL TIME. IT WILL BE HARDER THIS TOWN COULD BE ONE BOTH COUNTS HERE, EVEN WITH THE BEST PEOPLE OUT OF THE YEAR. >> AND THEY DEPEND ON THE WORKERS WHO HARVEST THOSE VEGETABLES IN ORDER TO MAKE A LIVING WITHOUT THEM. GONZALEZ KNOWS HE'D FEEL THE IMPACT AND SAYS YOU WOULD TO AT THE GROCERY STORE AND OUT YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT'S USED TO COME HERE PERSONALLY. >> AND MEET THE WE'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, WORK. WANT TO SEE I WANT OPERATE. NOW OR GOVERNOR BECOMING A COMMODITY. IT'S HE WHO DOES THE WORK HERE. >> PRESIDENT TRUMP HASN'T SPECIFICALLY SAID WHEN ICE RAIDS WILL HAPPEN, BUT HE SAYS, QUOTE, IT'S GOING TO WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN OR WE WON'T HAVE A COUNT

The farming town of Immokalee is one of the largest immigrant communities along Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast. Danny Gonzalez, manager and owner of Lozano’s Mexican Restaurant, says mass deportation could devastate the community and the businesses that depend on the people who grow and harvest crops here. Gonzalez, who grew up in Immokalee, knows firsthand the critical role migrant workers play. As a child, he worked in the fields and packing houses after school.“This town is dependent on migrants. This is a working town,” he said.Gonzalez says the impact of mass deportation would be devastating, not just for restaurants like his but for other mom-and-pop businesses run by immigrant families.“They’ll be hurting too,” he said. “This town could turn into one of those ghost towns where there’s nothing. We depend on vegetables nine months out of the year.”The ripple effect of losing migrant workers would extend beyond Immokalee. Grocery stores and restaurants across the county would also feel the impact.“ needs to come here personally and meet the farmers,” Gonzalez said. “Who’s going to do the work? That’s why I want to see our president now or governor to come here, to Immokalee, and see who does the work here.”President Donald Trump has yet to announce a specific timeline for Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

IMMOKALEE, Fla. —

The farming town of Immokalee is one of the largest immigrant communities along Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast.

Danny Gonzalez, manager and owner of Lozano’s Mexican Restaurant, says mass deportation could devastate the community and the businesses that depend on the people who grow and harvest crops here.

Gonzalez, who grew up in Immokalee, knows firsthand the critical role migrant workers play. As a child, he worked in the fields and packing houses after school.

“This town is dependent on migrants. This is a working town,” he said.

Gonzalez says the impact of mass deportation would be devastating, not just for restaurants like his but for other mom-and-pop businesses run by immigrant families.

“They’ll be hurting too,” he said. “This town could turn into one of those ghost towns where there’s nothing. We depend on vegetables nine months out of the year.”

The ripple effect of losing migrant workers would extend beyond Immokalee. Grocery stores and restaurants across the county would also feel the impact.

“[Trump] needs to come here personally and meet the farmers,” Gonzalez said. “Who’s going to do the work? That’s why I want to see our president now or governor to come here, to Immokalee, and see who does the work here.”

President Donald Trump has yet to announce a specific timeline for Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

How would mass deportation affect Southwest Florida?

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