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'Day Without Immigrants' Means Little Shopping, Dining In Passaic

PASSAIC, N.J. -- Monroe Street in Passaic looked like it went out of business on Thursday, with metal bars blocking window displays and signs in Spanish spelling out the reason for the day's closing.

Many stores in Passaic were closed on Thursday in honor of "A Day Without Immigrants."

Many stores in Passaic were closed on Thursday in honor of "A Day Without Immigrants."

Photo Credit: Cindy Capitani
Los Gallos Travel on Monroe Street in Passaic is closed Feb. 16 and 17 to recognize "A Day Without Immigrants."

Los Gallos Travel on Monroe Street in Passaic is closed Feb. 16 and 17 to recognize "A Day Without Immigrants."

Photo Credit: Cindy Capitani
Enrique Lozada, 31, and Jessica Lozada, 20, both kitchen workers from Passaic, were off Thursday.

Enrique Lozada, 31, and Jessica Lozada, 20, both kitchen workers from Passaic, were off Thursday.

Photo Credit: Cindy Capitani
Jay Williams, 20, of Paterson, and Katherine Richardson, 20, of Garfield, were surprised so many stores and restaurants were closed.

Jay Williams, 20, of Paterson, and Katherine Richardson, 20, of Garfield, were surprised so many stores and restaurants were closed.

Photo Credit: Cindy Capitani

Passaic joined cities around the nation in "A Day Without Immigrants," a movement in response to President Trump's immigration agenda, which includes a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and a travel ban on citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries.

Some businesses are pledging to close for a day; others are opening, but pledging to donate profits. 

Enrique Lozada, 31, and his cousin Jessica Lozada, 20, are both kitchen workers from Passaic. 

The restaurant where they work is closed today in honor of "A Day Without Immigrants."

"It's because of Trump and his policies," said Enrique Lozada.

Jay Williams, 20, of Paterson, said he didn't think people were really going to participate.

"I heard some things about it but I didn't really think anything about it," he said.

"Everyone just wants a better life," he said.

Katherine Richardson, 20, of Garfield, is formerly of Passaic and said she wasn't really aware of the movement.

"Immigrants run this area," she said.

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