Immigrants to boycott work to protest Trump

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - Immigrants across the country are expected to stay home from school and work on Thursday to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life.

"A Day Without Immigrants" actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Houston, Chicago and New York. The protest gained momentum on social media and by word of mouth.

It comes in response to President Donald Trump, whose administration has pledged to increase the deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally. Trump campaigned on building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, and blamed high unemployment on immigration. As president, he's called for a ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries from coming into the U.S.

Organizers expect thousands of people to participate or show solidarity with workers.

Angela Fernandez with the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights says the name behind Thursday's action comes from the movie "A Day without Mexicans."

The Bromberg Brothers owners Blue Ribbon Restaurants made the decision to close the majority of their restaurants Thursday in solidarity with the workers.

They said in a statement: "We stand 100% behind our employees - whether they are immigrants or born in America, back of house or front of house. When employees who haven't missed a day of work in nearly 25 years come to you and ask for a day off to march against injustice, the answer is easy."

Celebrity chef Jose Andres has followed suit, saying he'll close five of his restaurants as part of the boycott.