La Terraza Mexican Grill and Seafood Owner Carmelo Saldana, who owns locations in Tama, Toledo (pictured) and Traer, closed his doors on Monday as part of the “A Day Without Immigrants” national protest. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

MARSHALLTOWN — In the 17 years that she has owned and operated La Salud Restaurant and Grocery Store in downtown Marshalltown, Gabriela Vargas has been open seven days a week, 365 days a year, only closing early occasionally on a few holidays. That changed this past Monday.

Vargas and a host of other Latino business owners in both Marshalltown and Tama County shut down as part of “A Day Without Immigrants,” a nationwide movement aimed at highlighting immigrants economic and societal contributions to the U.S. as President Donald Trump has promised harsh crackdowns and mass deportations of those who are living in the country illegally.

Vargas said she learned about the initiative on social media and, after consulting with the owners of other Mexican grocery stores and restaurants in town, made the decision to close Monday as a show of solidarity with the Latino community. Her husband also stayed home from his job, and their children did not attend school.

“We are all trying to make a statement that immigrants come to contribute to this country. We’re good people. We’re working people,” she said. “I hope that it makes people aware of what’s going on, and they change their minds toward Latinos in our community.”

In places like Marshalltown, they have often been called upon to fill difficult and undesirable jobs like working at the JBS pork processing plant, and Vargas felt that debates over the legal status of immigrants missed a larger point.

A sign at the front entry to Marshalltown's Abarrotes La Salud at 17 N. 1st St. informs visitors that the business is closed on Monday as part of the national “A Day Without Immigrants” protest movement. PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY

“Everyone that’s here that comes to the U.S. comes for a reason — to better their lives, to have better opportunities — so who am I to say who has the right to stay, who did the right thing by coming or how they came?” she asked. “It’s hard to judge people that have come because I am myself an immigrant, and like I said, we came to better our lives, and who am I to judge someone that is trying to do the same thing?”

Vargas isn’t overly optimistic about any major legislative changes happening soon, but she stressed the importance of continuing to support the local immigrant community amidst great uncertainty.

Alfonso Medina, the owner of La Carreta Mexican Grill in Marshalltown, explained that similar protests have unfolded in the past, including in 2017 at the beginning of Trump’s first term. Medina has devised a plan called the Undocumented Entry Fine and Accountability (UEFA), which would create a system where individuals who have entered the country unlawfully “can take responsibility by paying fines and contributing through community service, rather than facing indefinite legal limbo or separation from their families.”

“Every undocumented individual I have personally spoken with has expressed a willingness to pay a structured fine in exchange for the opportunity to obtain legal status, remain in the U.S., and continue working,” he said. “I have said this before, and it needs to be repeated: We need the workforce. Legal or not, we are dependent on immigrant labor because we, as a society, have moved away from doing jobs we no longer want. That is just the reality. We cannot live in denial, and we cannot inflict self-harm on our own economy.”

He has attempted to share the plan with legislators like Sen. Chuck Grassley, but thus far, Medina has only received automated replies.

Signs printed in both English and Spanish announce the closure of Zamora Fresh Market at 4 E. Main St. in Marshalltown as part of the “A Day Without Immigrants” protest movement on Monday. PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY

“This proves how disconnected Washington is from the real issues facing our economy and workforce. We need leaders who are willing to listen, engage, and act on real solutions — not just play politics,” he said. “To President Trump and other leaders, my message is clear: Mass deportation of non-criminal undocumented beings is not a solution — it is an economic and humanitarian disaster in the making. Removing millions of hardworking individuals will not solve labor shortages, will not enhance public safety, and will not strengthen our economy. Instead, we need a comprehensive, balanced approach — one that prioritizes security while also acknowledging that immigrants are already deeply woven into the fabric of American society. The time for real, lasting reform is now.”

Melisa Fonseca, a REALTOR ®, small business owner and the first Latina ever elected to the Marshalltown city council, felt it was important to stand with the local immigrant community amidst “everything they’re going through” at the present time.

“I can’t even imagine what it is to be in that position, what it is to be a part of this economy and yet be vilified by people in your surroundings, in your own work or whatever you’re involved in in your daily life,” she said. “I feel like some people don’t really realize the harm that’s being done to immigrants. We really don’t know until it’s actually in our faces.”

Fonseca, herself the daughter of immigrants, cited America’s history of welcoming people from all over the world and hoped that message wouldn’t be lost in the current moment.

“Unfortunately, the United States has benefited for a very long time on (the backs of) immigrants, enslaved people, etc., you name it. We look at the political climate right now, and there’s a very faint light at the end of the tunnel to where we need to get to. And it seems very, very, far right now, especially with this political climate,” she said. “Once we can all get on board and step away from (the mindset of) ‘Illegal immigration, illegal immigration, they’re criminals.’ Do you not eat fruits and vegetables? Your daily life is surrounded by work from immigrants, and that needs to be more apparent in people’s lives.”

A billboard featuring La Carreta Mexican Grill Owner Alfonso Medina’s signature phrase, “No Love, No Tacos,” could be seen from the Center Street Viaduct in Marshalltown this past Monday. PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY

She also took umbrage with the suggestion that immigrants perform “unskilled” labor, noting the difficulty of the jobs they perform to make a living due to their circumstances.

“I think that if we can look at them as humans instead of what people would call ‘illegals,’ then we would actually take a step forward,” Fonseca said.

Beyond that, she hopes the movement will inspire both individuals to spend money with businesses that support immigrants even if legislative changes and enforcement actions remain beyond their control. Additionally, Medina urged the public to support immigrant-owned businesses, contact elected officials, vote with immigration in mind, combat misinformation, and donate to organizations that help immigrants.

Jose and Angelica Zaragoza, the owners of Marshalltown’s Zamora Fresh Market on Main Street, announced their closure with signs at the front entrance in both English and Spanish on Monday, and they spoke to the newspaper about their decision through their daughter America, who provided translation and noted the sense of fear among customers and employees.

“They are just kind of stepping on eggshells and trying to be very cautious. Lots of things are being shown or said on social media, whether some be true or false, but everyone is kind of on high alert and it is a very scary moment, whether you are part of that group who is undocumented,” America said. “Or even just, there’s some of us who are legal citizens, residents, and we still fear not for ourselves but just everyone else around us who we know. Because we all know somebody.”

La Terraza Mexican Grill & Seafood in Traer pictured closed on Monday, Feb. 3. “Our restaurant will be CLOSED as we join our staff, families, and community in A Day Without Immigrants to push for immigration reform,” a Feb. 2 Facebook post shared by La Terraza stated. “Immigrants are the backbone of this country – working hard, contributing to society, and building a better future. We stand with those who are here to work, to provide, and to create a better life, not to cause harm. They deserve respect, dignity, and fair opportunities. … No school. No spending. No work.” PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

A sensible immigration reform package, Angelica added, would provide a pathway to citizenship or permanent residence for those who have come to the U.S., worked hard and done no harm. America said they were prepared to receive backlash for the decision on Monday, but they continue to focus on the good as opposed to the bad.

“We’re hoping that with events like today, they see that we are a huge contribution to the economy, and we’re not just all these bad people and bad things that people say about us,” Angelica said.

In a similar vein, Medina offered his own response to those who criticize the movement.

“This is not about division — it’s about awareness and action. Some argue that protests like this are disruptive, but that’s exactly the point. If just one day without immigrants is inconvenient, imagine what America would look like if millions of immigrants were permanently removed,” he said. “This is not just a political issue — it is a fundamental human issue. Ensuring fair and just immigration policies is key to creating a country that is both prosperous and inclusive. Standing in solidarity with immigrants is not about partisanship; it’s about valuing the people who contribute to our communities every day.”

Tama County La Terraza restaurants close in solidarity

Carmelo Saldana owns the La Terraza restaurants in Traer, Tama, and Toledo and also decided to close down for the day on Monday. He spoke to the newspaper about his reasoning through a translator on Monday. Both he and his wife are immigrants, and he commented that his children have expressed fear of deportation, which prompted him into action.

Despite its relatively low immigrant population, Saldana said he had received strong support for his decision in Traer, but he worried about the impacts of mass deportation not only on his own businesses but other major employers like Iowa Premium Beef in Tama and farming operations.

“Right now, I feel like it doesn’t matter if you’re here legally. In some states, there’s native people that they thought were illegal immigrants,” Saldana said. “I’m defending my community, my hardworking people that are here for a better future, that are here to work and want a better future for their kids and their family.”

Saldana added that while he’s not OK with individuals being kicked out of the country simply for working and obeying the laws of the land, he’s not opposed to deporting people who commit serious crimes.

Following the day of action, the newspaper reached out to lay minister Jim Coppoc, pastor at Traer’s Ripley United Church of Christ. While Coppoc lives and works in Traer, he is also employed at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. With a foot in both communities, he is uniquely positioned to provide perspective on a variety of issues.

“The house I live in did not exist 120 years ago. The town I live in did not exist 200 years ago. With the exception of the Woodland Tribes, we are ALL immigrants here,” Coppoc said in an email. “I know there is pushback against A Day Without Immigrants. I’ve heard it. I’ve felt it in my community. I would ask those who oppose immigration now to do one thing before they settle on their political stance – look to your grandparents, then look to your Mexican or Indian or Laotian neighbor. What difference do you see? It’s not language – this area was settled in a number of languages. It’s not crime – immigrants today are less likely to commit crimes than native born, and more likely to be victims. Could it be the color of their skin? If you would welcome a Canadian or Australian, but not a Mexican, you know the answer. Could it be national politics? What does that have to do with your direct neighbor, or whether they should be treated like you?”

Coppoc further explained that when it comes to humanity, his first instinct is always the same – to practice love.

“I am a pastor. My worldview is rooted in love of God, and love of neighbor. Over and over again, our scriptures tell us these two things are one and the same. I support our immigrant community, and I support their right to take a day off to remind us that they exist, and they matter.”