NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Ideas We Should Steal: Decriminalizing Street Vending

Los Angeles City Council officials moved to decriminalize street vending, a move that could help keep undocumented immigrants from being deported

Ideas We Should Steal: Decriminalizing Street Vending

Los Angeles City Council officials moved to decriminalize street vending, a move that could help keep undocumented immigrants from being deported

Up to 50,000 sidewalk vendors regularly line the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Undocumented immigrants, who comprise a large percentage of these vendors, are facing increasingly frequent citing and police enforcement of sidewalk vending laws under President Donald Trump’s recent crackdown.

This affects the ability of those who make a living by street vending to financially support themselves and their families. In the past, enforcement has been inconsistent, enabling many to rely on street vending as their primary source of income.

RELATED: How to help Afghan refugees in Philadelphia right now

Last Tuesday, L.A. City Council officials moved to decriminalize street vending in the city, apparently compelled by Trump’s targeting of the undocumented immigrant population. Technically, the vote was merely an authorization for city attorneys to draft laws that officially decriminalize street vending. Before the new law is improved, sidewalk vendors are still technically breaking the law and vulnerable to the enforcement decisions of individual police officers.

Regardless, the undertaking is a crucial step for protection of the sidewalk vendors in Los Angeles, many of whom are undocumented immigrants that may face deportation if they are charged for any criminal offense. Until this law is passed, street vendors may be subject to deportation, whether they are arrested or not.

If it works in L.A., could it work in Philly, too?

Read the full story here (via City Lab)

RELATED

Guest Commentary: The Day We Fled Kabul

Citizen of the Week: Zulma Guzman

I is for Immigrant

Citizen of the Week: Michelle Angela Ortiz

Header photo by Anton / Unsplash

The Philadelphia Citizen will only publish thoughtful, civil comments. If your post is offensive, not only will we not publish it, we'll laugh at you while hitting delete.

Be a Citizen Editor

Suggest a Story

Advertising Terms

We do not accept political ads, issue advocacy ads, ads containing expletives, ads featuring photos of children without documented right of use, ads paid for by PACs, and other content deemed to be partisan or misaligned with our mission. The Philadelphia Citizen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and all affiliate content will be nonpartisan in nature. Advertisements are approved fully at The Citizen's discretion. Advertisements and sponsorships have different tax-deductible eligibility. For questions or clarification on these conditions, please contact Director of Sales & Philanthropy Kristin Long at [email protected] or call (609)-602-0145.