Activists called “A Day Without Immigrants” to highlight the importance of the foreign-born, who account for 13% of the US population, or more than 40 million naturalised American citizens. While the number of participants in Thursday’s protests could not be determined, many sympathetic business owners closed shop and working-class immigrants forwent pay for the day. Immigrant rights groups have also expressed alarm after federal raids last week rounded up more than 680 people suspected of being in the country illegally. At the Pentagon, about half a dozen food outlets were forced to close after staff members joined the protest, a Defense department spokesman said. In Austin, hundreds chanting “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here” marched from City Hall to the State Capitol, where lawmakers in the Republican-controlled body are considering a measure to punish sanctuary cities that shield immigrants from federal agents.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 17, 2017 07:53 UTC