In a powerful display of solidarity, numerous businesses across the United States closed their doors on Monday as part of "A Day Without Immigrants," a nationwide protest highlighting the economic contributions of immigrant workers in America.
The demonstration, which spread from coast to coast, saw participation from restaurants, street vendors, and various establishments in states including Minnesota, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and California. Participants were encouraged to stay home from work and avoid shopping to demonstrate immigrants' impact on daily economic activity.
"We're here because we have a dream, we're here because we want a better life for ourselves and our families," said Rodrigo Lopez, President of the Mission Street Vendors Association in San Francisco. Lopez noted that immigrants contribute substantially to the economy through taxes, home ownership, and daily consumer spending.
In Minnesota, Michelandia Bar and Grill manager Alejandro Morales closed his restaurant in support of the movement. He reported seeing fewer customers recently due to growing fears about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, noting that even legal residents have become hesitant to go out.
Several D.C. establishments, including Republic Cantina and Pearl's Bagels, joined the protest, with some businesses providing paid leave to staff members who participated. La Casita Pupuseria, a Salvadoran restaurant in Maryland, emphasized the central role of the Latino community in American business operations.
Business expert Sam Taylor from LLC.org highlighted the profound economic impact of immigrant workers: "Business in America simply could not function without them," he stated, drawing from his 12 years of experience mentoring entrepreneurs.
The protest also aimed to challenge recent immigration policies and increased ICE detentions. According to organizers, an estimated 31 million migrants contribute to the nation's workforce, with undocumented immigrants alone providing nearly $97 billion in annual tax revenue.
This latest demonstration follows similar actions from 2017, when businesses, students, and workers united to protest immigration policies. As the movement continues to grow, participants hope their message resonates with policymakers and the broader public about immigrants' invaluable role in American society.