‘A Day Without Immigrants’: Chicago-area businesses take part in nationwide movement
CHICAGO - As tensions rise across the nation amid President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, many business-owners are taking a stand.
In the city and suburbs, various restaurants, boutiques, and bars went dark on Monday in a nationwide movement called ‘A Day Without Immigrants.’
The goal of the protest is to show the impact of immigrant labor in communities nationwide.
"This is the United States of America, this is a country that was founded on immigrants," said Jaime di Paulo, president & CEO, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC). "The Latino influence on the economy is incredible. If Latinos were a country, we would be the fifth largest economy in the world."
While the Trump Administration insists the recent ICE raids and arrests are focused on people with criminal backgrounds, immigration activists and others argue such arrests stoke fear in local communities.
A day without immigrants
Usually open on Monday, local businesses that partook in the protest included Don Churro in Pilsen, Wagners Bakery on the Lower West Side, Colores Mexicanos on the Mag Mile, and Dulcelandia in Little Village.
The owner of Xurro, who operates multiple locations, took to Instagram to share that his father immigrated to the U.S. in 1970 in search of a better life, adding:
"By pausing our operations, we want their voices to be heard and advocate for a more inclusive society, one that recognizes the contributions of immigrants to our culture and economy."
In a statement posted to its Facebook page, Don Churro explained its decision to close on Monday:
"A business built by immigrants reflects resilience, hard work, passion, dedication and a deep connection to both their cultural roots and the American dream," the statement read. "We stand by our families and individuals who work hard every day for this country and deserve the chance to continue building their lives with dignity."
La Michoacana, an ice cream shop in northwest suburban Franklin Park, also explained why it felt it was important to join in the movement:
"No human being should be treated as they are not worthy or out of place in a world of opportunity," the restaurant said in a Facebook post. "We refuse to stay in silence and to contribute to an economy build on the work of immigrant and Latino families, where they have dismissed our humanity and efforts."
Di Paulo, who heads the IHCC, tells FOX 32 Chicago that the organization is in full support of the movement, but feels it would be more impactful if larger corporations who hire immigrant workers also participated.
"It's a wonderful cause," di Paulo said. "The impact is minimal, unfortunately, because it’s really affecting our own businesses. Our office is here at the Merchandise Mart—a wonderful building; I just went downstairs to the food hall, and 100 percent staffed by Hispanic workers."
Dig deeper:
'A Day Without Immigrants’ was originally held February 16, 2017 to protest to Trump’s plans to build a wall at the time.
Now, concern has returned—this time amid mass deportations and ICE raids that have entered a third week.
"Our community is in fear, our businesses are going under, so maybe let’s do a day supporting Latino small businesses, how about that," di Paulo said.
As part of the movement, various marches were also held Monday, including in Little Village and West Chicago.
Closed businesses
Here is a list of just some of the businesses that were closed on Monday.
Restaurants
- Crazy Quesadilla Mexican Restaurant in Arlington Heights
- Don Churro Inc. in Pilsen
- Dulcelandia in Little Village
- El Nuevo Vallarta in Berwyn
- El Taconazo Jr. in Belmont Gardens
- Jalos in Berwyn
- La Luz Bakery in Round Lake
- La Michoacana Classic in Berwyn
- La Michoacana in Franklin Park
- La Michoacana in Burbank
- Lomelis Rosticeria in Round Lake Beach
- Los Comales in Melrose Park
- Los Comales in Bolingbrook, Lombard and Round Lake
- Taqueria Maravatio in Gage Park
- Taqueria Michoacana in Chicago Lawn
- Wagners Bakery on Chicago's Lower West Side
- Xurro—All locations, including Logan Square and Pilsen
Stores
- Colores Mexicanos on the Mag Mile
- Le' Paws Boutique in Pilsen
- Lomelis International Supermarket in Round Lake
- Love Kids & Ladies in Waukegan
- Nava Produce in Waukegan