Thousands of workers in the United States are planning to participate in a nationwide economic blackout on Friday as part of their protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents nearly 2 million service and healthcare workers across the US, is leading calls for nationwide participation.
The economic blockade, also known as an "economic strike," is a coordinated effort to shut down businesses and services that are owned or operated by union members. In Minnesota, dozens of labor unions have endorsed the day of action, and several local small businesses in the Minneapolis area have announced plans to close. Dozens of places of worship across the state will also be participating, with faith leaders calling for ICE to leave.
The protests are in response to what many consider a crisis situation in which thousands of workers face risks of being targeted by ICE while trying to go to work and support their families. The union members claim that there is no rhyme or reason behind the arrests, other than racial profiling.
"This is a crisis for all of our workers," said Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, president of the Minnesota Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. "This is a crisis for our local economy, and we're doing everything we can with our employers to keep our workplaces safe."
The economic blockade is also seen as an opportunity to draw attention to what many consider unconstitutional policies by the Trump administration regarding immigration and labor rights.
"When we look at Minneapolis – the violence, the cruelty that's being brought by this federal government against working people – it is now more than ever that we have to stand together, regardless of our differences," said David Huerta, president of SEIU-United Service Workers West (USWW) and SEIU California.
The Trump administration has accused labor unions of "protecting" undocumented immigrants with no criminal record. However, the union members claim that they are working directly with families who have been picked up and released multiple times due to racial profiling.
"This is beyond insane," said a spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security. "Why would these labor bosses not want these public safety threats out of their communities?"
The protests come as thousands of people targeted by ICE in the past year had no criminal record, including numerous US citizens who have been detained. In 2025, Trump issued more than 1,500 pardons to individuals convicted of crimes, including some wealthy campaign donors.
As the economic blackout and nationwide demonstrations gain momentum, many are calling for a national conversation about immigration reform and labor rights.
The economic blockade, also known as an "economic strike," is a coordinated effort to shut down businesses and services that are owned or operated by union members. In Minnesota, dozens of labor unions have endorsed the day of action, and several local small businesses in the Minneapolis area have announced plans to close. Dozens of places of worship across the state will also be participating, with faith leaders calling for ICE to leave.
The protests are in response to what many consider a crisis situation in which thousands of workers face risks of being targeted by ICE while trying to go to work and support their families. The union members claim that there is no rhyme or reason behind the arrests, other than racial profiling.
"This is a crisis for all of our workers," said Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, president of the Minnesota Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. "This is a crisis for our local economy, and we're doing everything we can with our employers to keep our workplaces safe."
The economic blockade is also seen as an opportunity to draw attention to what many consider unconstitutional policies by the Trump administration regarding immigration and labor rights.
"When we look at Minneapolis – the violence, the cruelty that's being brought by this federal government against working people – it is now more than ever that we have to stand together, regardless of our differences," said David Huerta, president of SEIU-United Service Workers West (USWW) and SEIU California.
The Trump administration has accused labor unions of "protecting" undocumented immigrants with no criminal record. However, the union members claim that they are working directly with families who have been picked up and released multiple times due to racial profiling.
"This is beyond insane," said a spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security. "Why would these labor bosses not want these public safety threats out of their communities?"
The protests come as thousands of people targeted by ICE in the past year had no criminal record, including numerous US citizens who have been detained. In 2025, Trump issued more than 1,500 pardons to individuals convicted of crimes, including some wealthy campaign donors.
As the economic blackout and nationwide demonstrations gain momentum, many are calling for a national conversation about immigration reform and labor rights.
. I'm not sure what's more disturbing - the fact that ppl are being targeted just cuz of their ethnicity or that union bosses are getting criticized 4 trying to protect them 
. This is a real-life crisis & we should be talking about it, not debating who's right or wrong 
. The system needs to change, but how? That's the question we gotta answer 
.