Trump’s migratory policy generates panic in US commerce

Since the beginning of the government of Donald Trump, the policy of repression of immigrants without documentation has generated concern between workers and entrepreneurs.

The intensification of inspections led to the increase in the absence of professionals in their jobs and the drop in school attendance of children whose families fear deportation. The information was released in the report of the UOL.

The restaurant sector has been one of the most affected. Last week, several establishments struggled to operate due to the lack of employees.

According to the US National Association of Restaurants, 21% of industry workers have regular documentation, but the presence of unregistered immigrants is not fully quantifiable.

The fear of actions of the Immigration Control Service (ICE) has made restaurant owners to avoid public statements on the subject.

At a Chicago restaurant, a kitchen ticket warned the staff: “Don’t let Ice get in the building!” The message also emphasized the importance of solidarity among workers.

Given the climate of apprehension, businessmen in the sector have sought legal advice to guide their employees about rights and measures to be adopted in approaches to the authorities. In parallel, demonstrations against migratory policies were recorded in cities such as Chicago.

Restaurants represent one of the main sectors of foreign labor absorption in the United States. Unlike occupations that demand fluency in local language or specific certifications, work in kitchens and food services allows the rapid insertion of immigrants into the market.

This phenomenon also occurs in other countries. In São Paulo, restaurants founded by immigrants initially served their own communities, but gradually joined the city’s gastronomic scene. Today, different cultural influences are present in traditional establishments.

In the United States, the presence of immigrants in the sector is expressive. A survey by the Escoffier School points out that 41% of the country’s restaurants belong to ethnic minorities, a percentage of more than 30% observed in other economic segments.

The Asian community, for example, has a prominent participation in the food area, representing more than 196% of the sector average.