On February 3rd, school felt emptier than usual — that is, if you were even here. That day, a silent but powerful protest called “A Day Without Immigrants” was held in response to the mass deportations and crackdown on undocumented immigration during President Donald Trump’s first month back in office. The idea behind the protest was simple: disappear for a day. No work, no school, no shopping. It was a way to show just how much immigrants contribute to society.
President Trump’s administration has faced criticism for its aggressive approach to immigration enforcement policies such as expanded “expedited removal” allow immigration officials to rapidly deport individuals without due process, if they cannot prove they’ve lived in the U.S. for over two years. These actions have caused widespread fear among immigrant communities and led to separations of families, with many living under constant uncertainty about their future.
I talked with a friend who participated by not coming to school that day, whose identity I will keep private. When asked about their thoughts on President Trump’s harsh immigration policies, they said, “I think it’s really horrible, especially because immigrants came here for the ‘land of freedom,’ but it’s hypocritical when it comes to immigration, especially because they are personally immigrants of this land themselves. It’s horrible for the individuals who just want to be here for their future generation & being able to find new opportunities for them, y’know?”
They also opened up about how the situation is affecting their family. “Obviously, my family has been affected because they’re scared, scared of even stepping outside into fresh air because of the uncertainty of what will happen to them. I feel like it has affected our life tremendously, because as a child, and also being a child of immigrant parents, I’m scared. The second I’m not with them, I don’t know what’s going to happen, & that’s terrifying.”
The protest itself was a statement. “I think the protest went well. Usually, people say that a protest would cause chaos, but they have to remember the fact that the protest is supposed to show & demonstrate that it’s something that’s affecting everybody. So a protest such as this is not supposed to be quiet. I think it really showcased a lot of people, a lot of families that are affected by it,” they explained.
“A Day Without Immigrants” made it clear just how valuable immigrants are. Their absence showed the cracks in a system that often takes their contributions for granted. While immigration policy is complex, the fear and suffering immigrant families endure should prompt us to rethink how we approach such issues. Protests like this remind us all why understanding & change are crucial, especially in today’s age of living.