Businesses Protest Against Immigration Policies Across the U.S.
Several businesses, including day cares, grocery stores, and hair salons, closed across the U.S. on Monday as part of a loosely organized protest against President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
However, participation in the "day without immigrants" faced obstacles as many employees and business owners expressed concerns about losing income. These worries were heightened by rumors of immigration raids, which left numerous migrant communities afraid to go out, impacting schools as well.
Noel Xavier, organizing director for the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, emphasized the need to remind the nation of the contributions of migrant workers but acknowledged that many couldn't afford to take a day off.
Jaime di Paulo, president of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that while small restaurants and retailers in Latino neighborhoods demonstrated solidarity by closing, larger employers remained open, causing division in the community.
Andrea Toro, owner of La Julieta Salon in Chicago's Pilsen, stated, "If we don't have immigrants, we don't have anything work around here." She noted that many of her clients are educators who have witnessed students missing school due to concerns over safety since Trump's tenure began.
Similarly, El Burrito Mercado in St. Paul, Minnesota, which previously closed for similar protests, opted to remain open for a few hours due to concerns from employees about income loss and community access to groceries.
In Utah, several Latino-owned businesses also participated in the protest, showing solidarity for the immigrant community. State Senator Luz Escamilla remarked that the movement primarily aimed to raise awareness about the fear surrounding immigration enforcement.
While some continue to advocate for the rights of immigrants, others defend the current immigration policies, expressing that only criminal individuals are at risk of deportation.
