On February 3, 2025, various businesses across the United States (U.S.) closed their doors as part of a planned initiative to raise awareness of immigrants’ crucial role in the American economy and workforce. Accompanied by a social media campaign called “Day Without Immigrants,” the initiative was launched in response to the anti-immigration policies posed by President Donald Trump at the start of his second term. Trump previously pledged to conduct the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history. In one of the “Day Without Immigrants” social media posts, the initiative encouraged others to raise their voices for their rights and community.
The Importance of The “Day Without Immigrants” Initiative
Back in 2024, Trump made several promises during his presidential campaign. He stated that he would introduce relentless policies to curb illegal immigration to the U.S. Since re-entering the White House and Oval Office, the current American president has signed seemingly boundless executive orders that declared a national emergency at the border between the U.S. and Mexico. These executive orders have barred asylum for people arriving at the southern border while suspending the previously developed Refugee Admissions Program.
A poll conducted between January 2 and 10 revealed that 55% of respondents strongly or partially backed Trump’s immigration policies. Additionally, 88% of voters supported the deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Furthermore, the majority of both Republicans and Democrats agreed that the current immigration system is flawed and fragmented.
“Day Without Immigrants” was first organized in February 2017 after Trump’s first win. Now that the former reality television star-turned-president has won a second term, the initiative has made its grand return.
Significant Details of the “Day Without Immigrants” Event
As a result of Trump’s sweeping executive orders, many restaurants and retailers nationwide took part in a strike this past Monday. Several businesses were in prominent areas, including California, Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C. These restaurants and retail shops invited customers to abstain from shopping on Monday to display solidarity with migrant workers. Various posts shared across the main social media platforms noted that the campaign called for a day without school, work, or shopping to spotlight immigrants’ significant role in local communities and the comprehensive national economy.
Some posts stated, “We are essential. We are strong. We are community.” The noted “we” in question refers to migrant employees all over America. Osman Milla, someone who helped organize the strike, explained that the “team of organizers decided to host the ‘Day Without Immigrants” to showcase national unity in response to the anxiety that many immigrants are currently feeling.” Milla added that “anyone anywhere in the U.S. can participate by not working, not shopping, and skipping school for the day. We want participants to use social media with the #DayWithoutImmigrants to post comments celebrating the contributions of immigrants throughout the history of the U.S.” The initiative ultimately maintains its hope “that there is unity. America is the great melting pot and an image of freedom and hope for migrants and residents.”
Local news outlets reported that over 60 businesses in California and Illinois had discussions about participating in the initiative. Jaime di Paula, the president and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, supported the boycott but expressed concern that it could negatively impact the community. He explained that programs like the one he spearheads “are the livelihoods of the community.” If these programs “go under, the community goes under.”
The Serious Role of Immigrant Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 31 million foreign-born workers accounted for 18.6% of the U.S. civilian labor force in 2023. Of these workers, 47.6% were Hispanic, while 25.1% were Asian.
That same year, data showed that foreign-born workers were more likely than U.S.-born workers to be employed in service-related careers, as well as in the transportation, production, maintenance, and construction sectors. However, foreign-born workers were less likely to be employed in sales, office occupations, professional careers, or management positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, foreign-born employees earned 87% of what U.S.-born employees earned.
The Pew Research Center also reported that 8.3 million undocumented immigrants were part of the U.S. workforce in 2022, accounting for 4.8% of all workers. This figure peaked in 2007 at 5.4%.
What to Expect Moving Forward
With an impressive turnout for the “Day Without Immigrants” initiative, many U.S. residents find this event’s outcome promising as they look ahead. Since Trump’s inauguration, the White House and ICE have shared daily updates on the numbers of arrested immigrants. This uptick in raids has raised understandable concerns among charitable organizations and groups supporting the rights of migrants.
Adding to these concerns, Trump announced last Wednesday plans to use Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. naval base in Cuba, as a detention site for up to 30,000 migrants. This proposal, along with Trump’s other immigration policies, continues to leave many marginalized communities fearful about their future in the country.
