Salt Lake businesses, organizations feel impact of ‘Day Without Immigrants’ closures
Feb 4, 2025, 8:22 PM | Updated: 8:37 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Some of Salt Lake City’s businesses closed Monday for ‘Day Without Immigrants,’ including a nonprofit that felt the impact of closing its doors at a moment’s notice.
Tuesday, it was back to business for the Food Justice Coalition, after halting operations for 24 hours.
“It was important for us to take this stance,” Jeanette Padilla Vega, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit, said.
The program cleared its calendar in support of the nationwide protest in response to President Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the country.
“We had a lot of meetings that had to be canceled,” Padilla Vega said.
‘Day Without Immigrants’ protest helped Utahns take a stand
Padilla Vega said she wanted to take a stand as a daughter to immigrant parents during the Day Without Immigrants protest.
“It was important for us to support every immigrant that has contributed to this nation, and to help showcase the impact and fight the rhetoric that immigrants are dangerous or they’re lazy,” Padilla Vega said.
The coalition partners with organizations to feed people facing food insecurity.
Un Cafecito SLC owner Cynthia Lemus posted a sign on her door Monday announcing she too was closed.
The sign posted at Un Cafecito SLC notifying patrons of the closure for ‘Day Without Immigrants.’ (KSL TV)
“We have cameras outside. We definitely saw customers coming up to our door reading the sign as to why,” Lemus said. “And it actually touched my heart that a few of them kind of nodded.”
Lemus said she’s had customers bring up the subject of possible ICE raids and how they feel about it. Lemus and Padilla Vega said the current climate makes a lot of immigrants – regardless of citizenship status – feel afraid.
“They’re scared for their kids going to school,” Lemus said.
They said even if they get negative pushback for their choice, they wanted people to know where they stand.
“Our volunteers are made up of immigrants and refugees,” Padilla Vega said. “Our clients are also made up of immigrants and refugees. We would 100% feel the impact if they were to go away.”
The nonprofit said many of the services they provide would not be possible without the volunteer’s help.
