US businesses to close as 'Day Without Immigrants' boycott launched

Businesses in several cities throughout the US will close on Thursday as immigrants across the country unite for their "Day Without Immigrants" boycott.

Immigrant groups in cities such as Washington DC, Philadelphia and Austin have organised the protest against the ongoing changes in policies towards them from President Donald Trump.

Trump signed an executive order to ban the entry of citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, which was ultimately defeated by the US courts system.

He has also pledged to build a physical wall on the US-Mexico border, and has already begun a round-up of undocumented immigrants in several parts of the US.

Several restaurant groups in the Northeast of the US have been instrumental in the boycott, with health food chain Sweet Green among those closing 18 stores on Thursday.

"Our diversity is what makes this family great, and we respect our team members' right to exercise their voice in our democracy," Sweet Green said in a statement. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope you understand our commitment to our people."

Acclaimed chef Salcido Esparza said that she would be closing her restaurants in Phoenix as they simply "don't fucntion" without immigrants.

"You know what, my restaurants don't function without immigrants. That starts in the field, people who pick our food, the processing plants, the slaughterhouse, I could go on," she said.

Trump's stance on immigration proved hugely popular among voters in the US as he gained a historic victory last November, but has faced criticism from many businesses and lawmakers in the country following his attempts to introduce the travel ban.