Major Nationwide Strike and Protest Movement Against Trump’s Immigration Policies
Protesters across the United States have called for a nationwide strike and general shutdown on January 30, 2026, in direct response to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies and recent actions by federal immigration agencies. The movement, widely described as a “no work, no school, no shopping” strike, has gained momentum as activists link the protests to the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol officers, which ignited widespread outrage and condemnation. Organizers say the strike is intended to pressure lawmakers and shift public attention toward what they see as an aggressive and violent immigration crackdown that disproportionately affects migrant communities and undermines civil liberties.
The protests are not limited to rallies alone. Many small businesses and schools across several states announced closures or canceled classes in solidarity with the strike, reflecting the broad impact of the planned economic “blackout.” Student walkouts occurred in places such as Michigan, demonstrating that younger Americans are also playing a visible role in the movement. Demonstrators are staging walkouts, marches and sit-ins at city centers, courthouses, statehouses and churches, while faith leaders and community groups have been arrested in Washington, D.C., for their participation in civil disobedience actions calling for policy change.
The strike campaign follows sustained shows of public anger over the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis earlier in January. Those incidents were captured on video and widely shared, sparking demands for accountability and a halt to expanded federal immigration operations. Organizers of the strike and allied protests have framed the nationwide call to action as both a protest against ICE’s “reign of terror” and a broader demand for reform of the U.S. immigration system.
Across the country, demonstrations and walkouts were scheduled in more than 46 states, with more than 250 protest events planned in major cities and smaller communities alike. Leaders of the strike and allied groups have argued that disruptive economic action — including the refusal to work or shop — will amplify their message and force political leaders to address concerns over immigration enforcement, civil rights, and federal policy priorities.
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