‘Latinos are not criminals’: DeKalb County businesses close Monday for ‘Day Without Immigrants’ protests

Dozens of DeKalb County area businesses closed for a day Monday in solidarity with Day Without Immigrants, a national campaign meant to show the importance of immigrant communities.

The closures came weeks into President Donald Trump’s second term, where sweeping immigration policies have caused uncertainty in DeKalb County and upheaval across the nation. As Trump’s administration entered its third week, businesses in DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa, among others, are taking a stand.

Martin Garcia, owner of DeKalb Fresh Market, 615 Oak St., said many in DeKalb County’s Latino community, regardless of their individual documentation status have become “very scared” of the prospect of immigration officials detaining them. Reports he’s heard of American citizens and Native Americans being detained by immigration officials partly are to blame, Garcia said.

“Trump says it’s going to be just criminals getting out [of the U.S.], but we are seeing that they are sometimes arresting people from Puerto Rico, and some Native Americans that looks like us,” Garcia said.

He spoke in an interview with Shaw Local and other local business owners Monday who met up at a closed Flamingo Restaurant and Ice Cream, 1029 Pleasant St., DeKalb.

Zendy Lopez, Flamingo’s owner, was one of the key organizers of Monday’s mass closure of Latino-owned and supported businesses. She said she was prompted to rally her community after she noticed TikTok content promoting Day Without Immigrants.

More than 30 Latino-owned businesses announced plans to partake in the day of protest. Some area businesses' leaders met Monday in Genoa and DeKalb to discuss how they planned on supporting each other in the face of prejudice.

“Latinos are not criminals, not all of them,” Lopez said.

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Martin Garcia, owner of DeKalb Fresh Market, along with other local business owners, talk about their reasons for participating in a Day Without Immigrants Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, during a meeting at Flamingo Restaurant & Ice Cream in DeKalb. More than 30 DeKalb County businesses closed on Monday to show solidarity in their stance against President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policy. (Mark Busch)

Some businesses posted announcements via social media Sunday, including Andale Taco Shop, 202 E. State St., Sycamore. Many announcements told customers the businesses would close Monday and reopen Tuesday.

“This day serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions immigrants make to our society, workforce, and local businesses,” staff at Andale Taco Shop wrote on social media. “We appreciate your understanding and support. Our commitment to Sycamore, DeKalb, and the surrounding areas remains strong, and we proudly give back to our schools, churches, and local charities that make our community thrive.”

[ DeKalb County faith, school leaders react to immigration in Trump’s new era ]

During his first week in office, Trump signed 10 executive orders on immigration and issued a slew of edicts to carry out promises of mass deportations and border security, The Associated Press reported. Some actions were felt immediately. Others face legal challenges. Some may take years to happen, if ever, but have generated fear in immigrant communities.

Garcia said he and the area business leaders believe a large percentage of the community supports their efforts. He heralded strong work ethic philosophies he shares with those inside and outside the immigrant community. They work hard for what they have, he said.

“Latinos are not criminals, not all of them.”

—  Zendy Lopez

He’s not just speaking for those like him, either, Garcia said. Policies that target immigrant communities will impact more than that, he said, and day of protest would send a strong message to lawmakers.

“Knowing that we are Latino, we support Latino but we aren’t just Latino, we support the community,” Garcia said. “We support the economy of the United States so this movement is showing people ... how powerful is the economy based on us. It’s not just the Hispanic population, it’s the whole community that’s feeling this.”

Trump announced plans to send federal immigration agents to Chicago and other Democrat-led cities to make good on campaign promises he’d said would tighten U.S. borders.

In its own Facebook announcement, El Jimador, 260 E. Lincoln Highway, in downtown DeKalb, announced a Monday closure “in solidarity with our community.”

Garcia said those who identify as part of Latino or Hispanic communities aren’t the only ones in fear of the new Trump-era border policies.

“We are just trying to support immigrants, people not just from Mexico,” Garcia said. “I have a really close friend from China, and he’s reading the news every morning, that’s what they’re talking about. So people are afraid but not just us. Not just the Hispanic population.”

[ DeKalb police don’t enforce federal immigration laws, city manager says ]

Maria Caudillo, with Reyna’s Peluqueria, said protest actions Monday were important to show a sense of togetherness.

“We understand the needs of our community,” Caudillo said. “We really feel that this county, it’s a big country that we love so much. We are very fortunate to live here and we appreciate that they keep us here, but it seems like we cannot be welcome anymore.”

Nina’s Taco Shop, 122 E. Page St., Sycamore, thanked customers for their understanding.

“This day is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the invaluable contributions of immigrants to our community and country,” Nina’s Taco Shop staff wrote on social media. “We appreciate your understanding and support as we stand in solidarity with this important movement and the Latino community.”

Rivers' Mexican Cantina & Grill, 407 Sycamore Road, Genoa, closed to join “fellow Latino owned businesses, employees and customers in a silent solidarity movement,” according to social media.

“Over the past 7 years we’ve aimed to provide a quality menu, amazing service, and a family friendly experience.” Rivers’ business owners wrote. “In return, my family would appreciate your continual support and the gesture of respect during these times of uncertainty for many of our community members and small businesses. Gracias amigos!”

The Day Without Immigrants campaign also encourages protests by staying home from school or refusing to purchase items from major corporations.

“Make your absence noted,” staff at Mi Tierra Fresh Market read in Spanish in a Facebook live video Jan. 31.

To Caudillo, Trump’s immigration policies threaten to change the way people look at the U.S.

“People come here for a better life, we all understand that,” Caudillo said. “This movement is to make sure the whole country knows that we are here for a better life. … We would like to continue like that.”

She hopes the man in the country’s highest office hears her plea.

“If there’s any way that the President can hear our voice and be able to help us out, to understand the need of these, our people,” Caudillo said. “Not only our people, there’s people from the whole country who are maybe just living here with no documentation. So, we just want something good to happen to these people, to be able to feel free and not be in fear because this is what we see now.”

Some other local businesses closed Monday include:

• Flamingo Restaurant and Ice Cream, 1029 Pleasant St., DeKalb
• Burritoville, 1026 W. Hillcrest Dr., DeKalb
• Mi Tierra Fresh Market, 124 E. Hillcrest Dr., DeKalb
• Tamalos Los Girasoles, 4199 Illinois Route 38, Malta
• Los Rancheros of DeKalb, 2350 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
• El Jimador, 260 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
• DeKalb Fresh Market, 615 Oak St., DeKalb
• Paraiso Minimarket, 418 N. 10th St., DeKalb
• Los 3 Burritos DeKalb, 185 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
• Andale Taco Shop, 202 E. State St., Sycamore
• Nina’s Taco Shop, 122 E. Page St., Sycamore
• Beltran Kustomz, 1013 Oak St., DeKalb
• La Salsa, 901 Lucinda Ave., Suite B, DeKalb
• DeKalb Wireless, 121 S. Fourth St., DeKalb
• Mela’s Boutique and Alteration, 659 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
• Southview Hair Salon, 1715 DeKalb Ave., Suite 102, Sycamore
• Cielito Lindo, 304 N. 10th St., DeKalb
• La Guadalupana, 151 S. Third St., DeKalb
• La Pasadita, 1612 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
• Tus Amigos Panaderia y Dulceria, 1101 Pleasant St., DeKalb
• Mi Tierra Fresh Market, 124 E. Hillcrest Drive, DeKalb
• Teresa’s Bakery, 817 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
• Estrella’s Unisex, 418 N. 10th St., DeKalb
• Mela’s Boutique and Alteration, 659 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
• Dulceria y Abarrotes Lupita, 240 N. Seventh St., DeKalb
• Reyna’s Peluqueria, 149 S. Third St., DeKalb
• Gamez Construction Inc., of DeKalb
• Taqueria Los 3 Molcajetes, 900 Petro Road, Rochelle
• Cemitas Poblanas

This story was updated at 2:11 p.m. Feb. 3, 2025. This story was updated at 6:43 p.m., Feb. 2, 2025, with interviews from area business owners. More updates could occur.