Key Takeaways
• Protesters blocked the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles on February 3, 2025, to oppose President Trump’s immigration policies.
• The “A Day Without Immigrants” campaign urges immigrants to abstain from work and public activities to highlight their societal contributions.
• ICE increased operations in sanctuary cities, including actions in locations like schools and hospitals, prompting widespread protests and local defenses.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Los Angeles (🌎) and Santa Ana (🌎) on Monday, February 3, 2025, to continue voicing their opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. For the second day in a row, the protests were part of the nationwide movement called “A Day Without Immigrants,” focusing on showcasing the impact immigrants have on the social and economic fabric of the United States. This campaign highlights the value immigrants bring to the country, not only as workers but as an essential part of its communities.
The Monday protests saw demonstrators gathering early in the morning on historic Olvera Street, a site deeply linked to immigration history. Known for its roots stretching back to Spanish and Mexican governance, Olvera Street provided a symbolic starting point for protestors to underline their message. From there, they marched towards Los Angeles City Hall, carrying banners that read, “Nobody is illegal,” while calling for comprehensive reforms to U.S. immigration laws.
A Bold Move: Blocking the 101 Freeway
At approximately 11:00 a.m., the demonstrations took a more intense turn as a large group of protesters moved onto the 101 Freeway near the Alameda Street exit in downtown Los Angeles, blocking both directions of traffic. The freeway blockade was seen as an attempt to disrupt everyday life and draw attention to the cause. Protestors’ actions on Monday followed a similar blockade the previous day, February 2, where thousands of people had also marched in opposition to President Trump’s immigration policies. Sunday’s protests had brought traffic along the same freeway to a halt for hours, and clashes between protesters and law enforcement ensued. By repeating this strategy, demonstrators sent a strong message of their determination to keep highlighting their discontent.
Shortly after Monday’s freeway blockade began, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared the event an “unpermitted demonstration.” By 9:30 a.m., the public was warned to anticipate traffic gridlock as police officers moved in to manage the situation. The disruption caused delays for commuters and affected the city’s infrastructure, but for the protesters, this disruption served as a calculated move to amplify their cause.
The Broader Aim of “A Day Without Immigrants”
The “A Day Without Immigrants” campaign goes far beyond local protests on the streets. The movement calls for a nationwide shutdown of participation by immigrants in daily activities. Participants are urged to stay home from work, schools, and other areas of public life to highlight the essential roles they play. Businesses are also encouraged to close for the day to stand in solidarity. This is meant to show the economic weight immigrants carry as employees, customers, and business owners.
Many businesses large and small responded to the call, closing their doors across California (🌎) and other states to support the initiative. This voluntary shutdown by employers and workers highlighted the dependence of the U.S. economy on immigrant labor and consumer spending. The demonstrators hoped to demonstrate one powerful fact: immigrants are not marginal participants in society—they are central to it.
Los Angeles and Santa Ana have become some of the louder voices in this national protest. However, demonstrations popped up in major cities across the country, showing that the frustrations felt in California mirror those nationwide. Activists and participants shared a collective goal of making immigration a more significant topic in political discussions. The unified tone of these protests sends a message to the Trump administration, pointing to the wide dissatisfaction with recent immigration policies.
Echoing the Past to Change the Future
This year’s protests bear strong similarities to the movement of February 16, 2017, which also called itself “A Day Without Immigrants.” Back then, the demonstrations followed President Trump’s initial executive orders on immigration, including actions meant to curtail entry into the U.S. and tougher deportation strategies. Protesters in 2025 make it clear that the concerns sparked in 2017 remain unresolved for immigrant communities. Their return to the streets signals that these issues are far from forgotten.
Central to these protests is strong opposition to the policies and growing enforcement actions led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since President Trump’s inauguration, ICE has intensified its activities, particularly in sanctuary cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago (🌎), and Atlanta (🌎)—urban areas often seen as symbols of immigrant protection. These enforcement actions include deportations and arrests in once-restricted spaces.
One policy shift by the Trump administration that especially stirred anxiety within immigrant communities involves ending prior guidelines that restricted ICE operations in “sensitive locations.” These include schools, churches, and hospitals—places that were traditionally seen as safe zones for individuals regardless of their immigration status. Immigrant-rights advocates have raised alarms that this change could lead to children witnessing the arrests of family members during school drop-offs, or sick individuals avoiding hospitals due to fear of being detained. Such scenarios underline the protesters’ grievances and the potential real-life consequences of federal immigration tactics.
Local Actions to Support Immigrants
On the ground, organizations and institutions have responded to this heightened sense of vulnerability among immigrants. For example, the Los Angeles Unified School District, which serves a diverse and largely immigrant student population, has begun distributing “red cards,” also called “Know Your Rights” cards. These cards outline key rights immigrants have when confronted by immigration authorities and equip students and families with tools to navigate encounters with officials.
The distribution of these cards indicates how local communities are stepping in where federal policies have felt more punitive. It also reflects the rising tension in these communities as federal enforcement policies become tougher, leaving immigrants feeling exposed and uncertain about the future.
Voices of Protesters
The demonstrators themselves represent a variety of backgrounds but are united in their aim: preserving the rights and dignity of immigrants. Marissa Ruiz, a participant in Monday’s protests, directly expressed her unwavering position. “We are gonna stand up for our immigrant community as long as it takes, and we’re not going anywhere,” she said. Alongside her, protester Rocio Sarabia Cabrera echoed the motivations of the protests, emphasizing her desire to see California (🌎) remain a sanctuary state and a place where immigrants feel supported.
The range of people protesting—from workers to educators to business owners—showcases how this issue cuts across professions and social classes. While the protestors’ tactics, including freeway blockades, have prompted criticism from some regarding public safety and vandalism concerns, their shared goal remains clear: they want action that broadens protections and creates a more inclusive national immigration system.
Clashes Continue
Despite their peaceful beginnings, tensions occasionally boiled over during the protests. On Sunday, some participants reportedly vandalized a car and scrawled graffiti on freeway infrastructure. These incidents highlight the fine line demonstrations walk between ensuring attention to their cause while losing public support due to destructive behavior. Nonetheless, such incidents haven’t stopped many from fully endorsing the objectives of “A Day Without Immigrants.”
Critics argue that these protests disrupt lives, but activists counter that such inconveniences are small compared to the struggles immigrants face daily under restrictive policies.
Moving Forward: What’s Next?
While it’s too soon to measure the impact of this year’s “A Day Without Immigrants” movement, one certainty exists: the protests have sparked widespread conversation. Their scope, bolstered by participation in cities far beyond Los Angeles (🌎), ensures that calls for reform cannot easily be ignored. The connections between immigrant communities and vital American industries—from agriculture to technology—are undeniable, and campaigns like these serve as reminders of that reality.
For more context on immigration laws or relevant resources, readers can visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) page at https://www.uscis.gov/.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, challenges surrounding immigration are deeply embedded in both policy debates and personal experiences across the U.S. Until meaningful reforms are achieved, it appears these movements will continue making their presence felt. Whether through freeway blockades or school walkouts, the protesters have sent this clear message: immigrants matter, and so does the fight for their place in America.
Learn Today
Sanctuary Cities → Urban areas limiting local law enforcement’s collaboration with federal immigration authorities to protect undocumented immigrants.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including deportations and arrests.
Sensitive Locations → Places like schools, churches, and hospitals where ICE previously limited enforcement actions to protect vulnerable individuals.
Know Your Rights Cards → Informational cards advising immigrants about their legal rights during encounters with immigration or law enforcement officials.
A Day Without Immigrants → Nationwide protest highlighting immigrants’ contributions to society by encouraging absence from work, schools, and public life for a day.
This Article in a Nutshell
Immigrants fuel the U.S., yet restrictive policies spark resistance. Monday’s “A Day Without Immigrants” protests in Los Angeles spotlighted their social and economic contributions. Freeway blockades disrupted traffic but amplified urgency for immigration reform. Protesters’ message resonated nationwide: immigrants aren’t just workers—they’re integral to America’s fabric. Change remains their relentless goal.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Thousands Protest Immigration Policies in Downtown Los Angeles
• IndiGo Expands U.S. Flights: Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Puts Immigrants First: New Sanctuary Law Passed
• Los Angeles Becomes Sanctuary City to Protect Immigrants from Mass Deportation
• Supreme Court to Hear Los Angeles Man’s Visa Denial Case Over Tattoos
