Businesses Across the U.S. Stage "A Day Without Immigrants" to Highlight Their Economic Impact

Several Businesses across the United States closed their doors on Monrday as part of "A Day Without Immigrants," a demonstration intended to highlight the economic contributions of immigrant workers and protest recent policies from the Trump administration.

The protest featured businesses in Minnesota, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, among other states, and encouraged workers to stay home and consumers to refrain from shopping to underscore the role immigrants play in daily economic activity.

The initiative came in response to policies introduced by President Trump, including executive orders that could end birthright citizenship and increased detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Alejandro Morales, manager of Michelandia Bar and Grill in South St. Paul, Minnesota, told CBS News that his restaurant has seen fewer customers amid fears of ICE raids. He noted that even individuals with legal status have become hesitant to go out. In response, Michelandia is closing for the day to stand in solidarity with those impacted. "We all depend on everybody," Morales said.

Similarly, La Casita Pupuseria, a Salvadoran restaurant in Maryland, announced its participation in the demonstration, stating, "Our Latino community is the heart of our businesses and an integral part of this country." Republic Cantina and Pearl's Bagels in Washington, D.C., closed for the day, with the latter stating that its staff received paid leave to allow them to participate.

The Latin Times reached out to Sam Taylor, business expert at LLC.org, a consulting firm and global business resource platform. Analyzing the impact of "A Day Without Immigrants," Taylor said:

"When businesses close in solidarity with immigrant workers, it's a wake-up call. It's a reminder to everyone about how significant these workers and entrepreneurs actually are. I work with entrepreneurs every single day, and I see it firsthand. Business in America simply could not function without them, and I mean them, individually, and not them, in general"

With over 12 years of mentoring individuals in growing companies, Taylor has met his share of Latino workers and is more than willing to vouch for them:

"I have guided Latin entrepreneurs with small ideas and helped build successful ventures out of them. I have witnessed hard workers make industries like construction, farm work, and restaurants successful. There's no economy when they don't work."

Monday was not the first time businesses have taken collective action in response to immigration policies. In 2017, during Trump's first term, a similar protest saw law offices, grocery stores, and restaurants close their doors, students skip classes, and workers participate in demonstrations, according to USA Today.