ELKHART CO. — Fewer opportunities for work in Elkhart County have forced some immigrant workers to pack-up and leave. Some Latino-owned businesses have noticed profits and foot traffic are down significantly because workers have moved on looking for work.

From the dough mixer to the oven to the shelves, Jose Gonzalez has followed the same routine for three and a half years at the International Bakery, to support his family.

"I saw the opportunity here to put up a bakery," Gonzalez said. "I didn't see a bakery around here."

Gonzalez said after opening, business picked up. So did Elkhart County's Hispanic population, but high unemployment in the county began to change his bottom line.

Gonzalez noticed more of his Hispanic clients spending less, while others packed up and moved out.

"Some people are going back to their original country," Gonzalez said. "Some are just getting out of here from Indiana going back to Chicago and other states."

Fewer jobs and opportunities left a bad taste.

"It's really getting really critical," Gonzalez said.

"We're seeing a lot of musical chairs being played in the United States," said Allert Brown-Gort, Associate Director of Latino Studies at Notre Dame.

Some migrant workers with established roots will stay, said Brown-Gort. Many others can't afford to.

"There is no doubt we are going to be seeing a lot of movement of the population," Brown-Gort said.

That news is bittersweet for Gonzalez.

"It gets you," Gonzalez said. "You start thinking, wow is it that bad?"

And the hearty truth has him hoping the economy will improve.

"We have all of our life savings invested in this place," Gonzalez said.