Chicago Businesses and Organizations Prepare Mobilizations Against Immigration Policies Ahead of International Workers’ Day

Businesses and organizations in Chicago are preparing mobilizations ahead of International Workers’ Day in opposition to federal immigration enforcement policies, according to organizers and community leaders.

The planned actions come as part of a broader national movement responding to increased immigration raids and arrests under the current administration, with Chicago serving as a focal point due to its historical significance in labor movements and its large immigrant population.

Organizers emphasized that the mobilizations aim to highlight the essential role of immigrant workers in the local economy, particularly in sectors such as food service, retail, landscaping, and child care, where business leaders have reported significant economic impacts from workforce disruptions.

According to Rebecca Shi, CEO of the American Business Immigration Coalition, revenues for some Chicago-area businesses have declined by as much as 50% due to the removal of immigrant workers from the workforce, contributing to rising consumer prices and economic instability in neighborhoods across the city.

Shi also noted that immigrants, including undocumented individuals, contribute approximately $22 billion annually in taxes and local spending, underscoring their integral role in driving economic activity throughout the Chicago region.

The efforts build on previous actions such as “A Day Without Immigrants,” observed earlier in the year, during which numerous Chicago-area businesses temporarily closed to demonstrate the economic and social impact of immigrant labor.

Jaime di Paulo, president and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Latino community’s economic influence is substantial, noting that if Latinos were a nation, their economy would rank among the five largest in the world.

Faith, business, and civic leaders have united under initiatives like United for Chicago to call for an end to immigration raids, arguing that such enforcement creates fear and learned helplessness in immigrant communities rather than serving legitimate law enforcement objectives.

Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan, founder of Chicago CRED, described the raids as intentionally designed to shock and scare communities, asserting that they are not primarily focused on individuals with criminal backgrounds but instead aim to destabilize entire neighborhoods.

Lou Sandoval, former president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, echoed bipartisan concern, stating that no political affiliation supports the current immigration enforcement tactics, which he characterized as economically reckless and socially damaging.

As May 1 approaches, organizers continue to coordinate with labor unions, immigrant advocacy groups, and local businesses to ensure peaceful demonstrations that affirm workers’ rights and oppose policies they view as harmful to both the economy and community cohesion.