Typically, in the New York tri-state region, the first quarter of the year tends to be sluggish for entertainment. Consumers are recovering from big spends at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and overseas holiday travel. This, combined with winter weather, puts brakes on consumer spending for restaurants, nightclubs, parties, theatres, bars and concerts during the first three months of the year.

Although several consumer reports point to a post-pandemic rebound in leisure spending to pre-pandemic levels as of 2023, a formidable new hurdle has suddenly appeared on the Caribbean entertainment landscape: a national wave of deportations targeting non-documented residents, and the New York tri-state region with its huge immigrant population has not been spared.

In just the past few days, the situation in New York has gone from bad to worse. The office of the mayor of New York City has just reversed a previous long-standing protection that barred agents from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting raids at city agencies including schools, shelters, and prisons unless the agents were armed with a judicial warrant signed off by a federal judge authorizing a specific arrest.

That protection has now gone through the window. With the change in the city policy, federal authorities searching for undocumented immigrants now have free access to all city agencies even if city workers at such properties feel “reasonably threatened” by the presence of ICE agents.

Furthermore, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican and Trump ally, announced on Tuesday that his office will provide additional manpower to boost the efforts of ICE in an area where many Caribbean residents reside and where several high-profile places of entertainment are located. That includes the UBS arena, a popular location for music and sports events.

The Sunday Gleaner spoke to several Caribbean area promoters, business owners, and industry executives this week to see how the recent ICE raids are affecting entertainment.

“I am in full support of the complete overhaul of the US immigration system, but the horrific destruction of people’s lives equates to Hitler’s ethnic cleansing,” Bobby Clarke, chief executive officer of Irie Jam Media in New York, stated emphatically. “I am yet to see ICE raids on the Swedish, Russian, and Eastern European immigrant communities,” Clarke continued. “Trump must stop this now.”

Kemar Blake, chief executive officer at Bellyful Restaurant and Reggae On The Avenue in Brooklyn shared his thoughts, too. “Entertainment provides sustenance for the Caribbean community in this region, and the industry generates millions of dollars through jobs and spending to feed families and send remittances to Jamaica and other islands. The ICE raids will only impact negatively on the entertainment industry here,” he affirmed.

The owner of a Jamaican food establishment in New Jersey, who did not wish to be identified, poured her heart out.

POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION

“Undocumented workers have positively contributed to the entertainment-food services-restaurant industry. The brazen sweeps currently being conducted are negatively impacting not just the undocumented workers and their families but also the local businesses that depend upon them for support to serve the community. There has to be a more humane and socially responsible way to address the issue.”

And New Jersey Reggae Ambassador Ras Emmanuel, who is away in the Gambia performing, chimed in with his thoughts.

“As a Jamaican immigrant myself, I stand in support of those who are being ruthlessly deported, who are only trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. Deportations are bad for the entertainment business as it generates fear. Our people won’t want to come out for parties, clubs, and shows in that environment,” he opined.

“My hope is that we can fix the immigration system without destroying lives and tearing families apart,” the father of five added.

The Sunday Gleaner checked in with Brad Bernstein, managing partner at the prominent New York City Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein to see what advice he would offer for those in distress.

“If arrested by ICE at a club, party, concert, or any location, contact a lawyer immediately. While we cannot prevent the arrest, we can support you and your family through the legal process. It’s also essential to know your rights, remain calm and non-combative, and document or record the situation if needed to help protect yourself and ensure proper legal representation,” Bernstein advised.

“If ICE shows up at your residence, do not let them in unless they have a signed judicial warrant that one should ask to see. Again, record the encounter on your phone, ask for ID, and stay calm,” the immigration specialist counselled.