A ‘Day without Immigrants’? What you should know about closures and demonstrations around the country

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A 'Day without Immigrants' What you should know about closures and demonstrations around the country

On Monday, cities across the United States witnessed widespread business closures, empty classrooms, and large protests as part of “A Day Without Immigrants,” a social media-driven movement opposing former President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies.

This protest aimed to showcase the vital contributions immigrants—both documented and undocumented—make to the U.S. economy, culture, and communities.

What Is “A Day Without Immigrants”?

“A Day Without Immigrants” is a nationwide boycott where immigrants and their supporters skip work, close businesses, and stay home from school to demonstrate how crucial immigrants are to the country.

The protest highlights the impact of immigrant communities on the workforce, especially in industries like food service, construction, agriculture, and hospitality.

The campaign was fueled by Trump’s new immigration orders, including actions against birthright citizenship and increased deportations. Organizers advanced the protest date from May to February 16, 2017, less than a month after Trump took office, as a response to his aggressive immigration enforcement.

Nationwide Participation: Businesses and Schools Affected

Across the country, businesses showed solidarity by shutting their doors. Immigrant-owned restaurants, markets, and even large dining groups participated, emphasizing how immigrants are the backbone of many industries.

Businesses That Closed in Solidarity:

  • Florida: Dozens of Mexican restaurants and markets, including El Gallo Latin Market, joined the protest from Pensacola to Walton County.
  • Ohio: High Bank Distillery, La Michoacana markets, and Pecan Penny’s BBQ were among the businesses that closed in Columbus.
  • Oklahoma: Good Egg Dining Group shut down multiple eateries, including Mexican, BBQ, and seafood restaurants.
  • Washington, D.C. Metro Area: La Casita Pupuseria in Maryland and other Latin American eateries paused operations.
  • California: Businesses in San Francisco, Oakland, and the Bay Area closed, with protests held throughout the state.

Many businesses released statements supporting their immigrant employees, calling them “the heart of our businesses” and recognizing their essential roles.

Impact on Schools:

The protest also affected schools, with a noticeable spike in absentee rates among Hispanic students:

  • In Anne Arundel County, Maryland, more than a third of Hispanic students were absent—compared to just 9% the previous week.
  • In California, school districts in Inglewood and San Diego reported increased absences tied to the protest.

The Message Behind the Protest

The protest wasn’t just about missing work or school—it was a powerful statement against Trump’s immigration policies, including:

  • Increased deportations: ICE arrested over 7,400 undocumented immigrants in just a few weeks, many without criminal records.
  • Changes to birthright citizenship: Trump’s efforts to challenge the constitutional right to citizenship for those born in the U.S. to immigrant parents.
  • Harsh rhetoric: The administration labeled all undocumented immigrants as criminals simply for being in the U.S. without legal status.

Community Voices:

  • Grace Resendez McCaffery, a newspaper owner in Florida, said, “It’s just acknowledgment that it is an immigrant community that feeds them.”
  • Mario Cruz, a Latino cultural advocate in San Francisco, emphasized, “The Latino community has had it. We are a vital part of the United States.”

The History of the Movement

While this protest gained momentum in 2017, the roots of “A Day Without Immigrants” date back to 2006, when a massive nationwide strike protested immigration reforms proposed by the Bush administration. The movement’s message remains the same: immigrants are essential to America’s economy, culture, and future.

Ongoing Fear and Uncertainty

The Trump administration prioritized deporting undocumented immigrants, claiming the focus was on those with criminal histories. However, many arrests targeted individuals without any criminal records, including long-term residents and even children. This created widespread fear and insecurity within immigrant communities.

Legal experts, like Veronica Thronson from Michigan State University, warned that under Trump’s policies, “anybody who is here unlawfully is not going to be safe from law enforcement.

“A Day Without Immigrants” was more than just a protest—it was a demonstration of the indispensable role immigrants play in American society. From small businesses to large cities, the absence of immigrant workers made a clear and powerful statement.

As immigration policies continue to evolve, protests like these remind the nation of the human impact behind political decisions, urging leaders to consider the lives and contributions of millions of immigrants who call America home.

SOURCE

Jaxon

Alberto Bufalino ('22) is from Durham, North Carolina, and is studying Political and International Affairs. He is the Managing Editor of the Wake Forest Review.

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