Geneva Business Shows Support for Immigrant Workers

At least one local business made a point of taking part in Thursday’s “A Day Without Immigrants” strike.

The Little Traveler, 404 S. Third Street in Geneva, is paying all of its employees who were not born in the U.S. normal wages on Thursday -- even if they did not show up to work. “The Day Without Immigrants” movement Thursday was meant to show how native-born workers impact America’s economy in light of President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Immigrants throughout the U.S. stayed home from school and work and did not shop or dine out.

“As a business that employs many wonderful people who were not born in the US, we fully support this movement. My grandparents were immigrants to this country, coming here to escape persecution,” Mike Simon, the owner of the Little Traveler, wrote in a Facebook post Thursday.

Simon told customers to note his store may not look as clean as it normally does on Thursday since “many of the people who work ‘behind the scenes’ to keep us going are immigrants, and they may not be on duty today.” He also said the store’s Atrium Cafe may be closed or service may be slower than usual since “many of the wonderful people who run our restaurant were not born in the US.”

In addition, The Little Traveler will be donating 10 percent of Thursday’s revenues to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights to "show its support for the immigrants who are so vital to our country,” Simon said.

MORE ON PATCH

• WATCH: Thousands Join 'Day Without Immigrants' Protest March in Chicago
• Chef Rick Bayless Closes 4 Chicago Restaurants As Part Of 'Day Without Immigrants' Protest

Photo via GoogleMaps