By Jonathan Padilla and Kyanna Wiggins
Adrienne Adams, Democratic candidate for New York’s lieutenant governor, and Hempstead Village Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. recently visited several local businesses across the village to hear business owners’ concerns amid heightened activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Adams, who represented Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Hobbs stopped by Dulcemania, an international grocery store and juice bar on Franklin Street. Inside, orange walls and stacked shelves of sweet treats surrounded the brightly colored piñatas hung from the ceiling. Handmade tables were placed in the shop’s center, with chairs displaying traditional Mexican art. Dulcemania owner Crescencio Monzures, who greeted the mayor, spoke with the two officials about the problems that he and other business owners have faced because of ICE’s continued presence in Hempstead.
Hobbs’ visit was part of a broader effort to address the uncertainty and concern that local business owners are feeling following targeted ICE arrests. The mayor expressed his concern about the troubles that Hempstead businesses have endured in the face of ICE activity and emphasized the importance of voting in local and federal elections.
“We have to come out and vote,” Hobbs said. “We have to agree that what is going on right now in Washington is not good for our communities, particularly our Black and brown communities, that there is actually more harm than there is any good.”
Monzures spoke about the significance of what the mayor’s visit meant to him. “For us, it’s really important,” he said. “It feels good to have the mayor visit us and see what’s happening in the Village of Hempstead.”
When asked what more he would like to see from elected officials, Monzures noted a lack of support. “I think that they need to support the Hispanic community and work to help them because truthfully this has been a difficult moment for the Spanish community,” he said. “Being afraid to step out into their streets, it would be nice for the mayor to come out into the neighborhood and see what is happening in the community and remind the people what their rights are.”
Monzures described a noticeable decline in foot traffic in the business community following increased ICE activity. “I’m here from 9 to 5,” he said. “My whole life is here, and this place isn’t just for me, it’s for my two brothers. It’s a family business.”
“If we look towards our federal legislature, what we’re seeing right now is a lack of movement on a certain bill that is in both the Senate and Congress, which surrounds the Department of Homeland Security,” Adams said. “We’re seeing a faction of the government that is holding things up, making life miserable for yourself and thousands of businesses and families across the country.”
Adams, who has spoken out against the impact of federal enforcement activities, said, “We’re hoping that they will come to an agreement to change the rules with ICE. They have become a horrible example of law enforcement for this country.
“We hope they reach a consensus on this bill to change the rules and not give that extra money to ICE,” she continued. “But instead those who are truly deserving like our [Transportation Security Administration] workers that are working for free when our safety is in jeopardy.”
Nadia Marin-Molina, co-executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said that although the community must show up to the polls in November, time is of the essence. Marin-Molina said the New York for All Act would prohibit any New York county from collaborating with ICE, informally or formally, unless agency officials present a judicial warrant. “These owners, what they’re telling us is if this does not pass, they are going to shut down,” Marin-Molina said. “They can’t wait until November.”
Adams responded to Marin-Molina’s concerns. “You are speaking to a candidate. You are not speaking to a sitting elected official,” Adams said. “These issues and many others are extremely important and are right now being negotiated.”
Hobbs hosted a March 19 panel at Kennedy Memorial Park to inform Hempstead and other Nassau County residents about their rights when confronted by ICE agents.
The panel was hosted by attorneys Ingrid Villagran and Maria Janella Loaiza, who discussed topics such as updating expired green cards and knowing what to do when confronted by ICE agents.
Monica, who asked that her last name not be shared for fear of retribution, is a Hempstead resident who attended the panel. “There was turnout, but I don’t think there was enough publicity for it,” Monica said. “We have schools, public libraries, newspapers, and the information was not given out to parents [at] schools. I don’t know anyone that received the information about this forum.”
Monica said the panel was given in English to a majority Spanish-speaking audience, but she seemed satisfied after the panel of attorneys agreed to have the presentation translated and sent out.
