Vendors at the Madera Flea Market say business has dropped dramatically in recent weeks as fears surround a reported increase in ICE activity.
ByJason Oliveira
Thursday, October 15, 2026 1:44AM
MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) –Vendors at the Madera Flea Market say business has dropped dramatically in recent weeks as fears surrounding reported increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Central California keep customers away.
On a typical Wednesday, the fairgrounds aisles are packed with families buying groceries, clothing and household goods. But this Wednesday, many stalls remained quiet.
“It’s actually really empty, we were so surprised when we came out here,” said Xitlaly Jimenez of Madera.
Andrew Harper, who has sold goods at the flea market for the past decade, said both customers and vendors were largely absent.
“There are about 90% of customers missing, 80% of vendors missing out of here,” Harper said.
Harper said his business has suffered amid recent reports of increased ICE activity in Central California and a surge of social media videos showing those encounters.
“It’s about 60% down. It’s more than half, I know that for a fact. I make good money and it’s more than half,” Harper said.
The impact extends beyond individual vendors, according to those at the market.
Vendors tell Action News this is the worst they’ve seen and that includes COVID. Many tell us if foot traffic doesn’t pick up soon, they may be forced to pick up their stalls and go home for good.
Vendor Josefina said fears within the community are affecting everyday life and work.
“I’ve been living here in the Central Valley whether its working at the flea market or in the fields, its the first time I’ve seen it like this. That ICE is detaining people everywhere, resulting in fear in the communities. People are not going out, but I have two daughters to provide for,” Josefina said.
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The effects are not limited to the flea market. Local festivals have recently been postponed, while downtown stores, restaurants and farming operations across the area report workforce anxieties are creating a ripple effect throughout Madera County.
Madera City Councilman Artemis Villegas urged residents to continue necessary activities while limiting time away from home.
“If you have to go to the store or anything you have to do outside, do it but do it the quickest you can and stay home and that’s the best recommendation,” Villegas said.
Officials noted that no ICE operations have ever taken place at the Madera District Fairgrounds Flea Market.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement released late last week that there are no quotas on ICE arrests, but that the agency is “supercharged” to find, arrest and deport people who are in the country illegally.
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