As fears of immigration raids grow in New York City, some street vendors say the Trump administration is forcing them to change how they make a living.

For years, the sizzle of a hot grill helped lure customers to T’s Mexican food stand. Now, she says she has no choice but to cook at home.

“This is to support my family, for my children, to pay the rent,” said T, who spoke to NY1 on the condition of anonymity for fear of deportation.

T came to New York from Mexico about 20 years ago after crossing the border. She has worked as a street vendor for four years but says she has been in hiding since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term.

“ICE has been around our neighborhood, in front of our house. My 16-year-old son said, ‘Mom, I don’t want you to go out anymore,’” she said.

T fears being separated from her three children, ages 10, 13, and 16. They were born in the U.S. and are in school. She says she needs to work to provide for them but has seen her earnings drop nearly 70% since moving her business indoors. Now, she relies on loyal customers for delivery orders.

“At some point, we have to shake off the fear, and you have to do something because you have to pay rent, you have to eat. I have three kids to support,” she said.

She is not alone. The Street Vendor Project, a nonprofit that advocates for street vendors, says many vendors have been forced indoors because of fears of immigration enforcement.

According to the Immigration Research Initiative, 96% of street vendors in the city are immigrants, with the majority from Mexico, followed by Ecuador, Egypt and Senegal.

T completed food safety courses and obtained a license, but she does not have a permit due to a city-imposed cap. The waitlist for permits has about 10,000 names on it and is currently closed.

Shamier Settle, with the Immigration Research Initiative, says she is concerned about the impact of vendors disappearing out of fear.

“If these vendors, and entrepreneurs, and business owners aren’t on the streets every morning and night to serve the students, the workers, the taxi drivers, the tourists that visit the city streets every single day, the city won’t be the vibrant place that we know and love it to be,” Settle said.

Despite the challenges, T says she is determined to adapt.

“We are working, and spending, and moving the economy here, for our American children,” she said.

According to the Immigration Research Initiative, there are about 23,000 street vendors in the city. Advocates say vendors typically earn between $250 and $1,000 a week when working on the streets.