VIRGINIA BEACH — A Mexican-American business owner lost about $10,000 in sales Thursday when he shut down his Southside-based companies in solidarity with the “Day Without Immigrants” protest.
Jorge Romero, the 34-year-old owner of Jessy’s Taco Bistro in Norfolk, Jessy’s Tienda y Taqueria in Virginia Beach and an area Boost Mobile store, said he decided to participate in the national protest when asked by several customers if he’d be open Thursday.
The protest is a response to President Donald Trump’s promise to build a border wall between Mexico and the United States — and make Mexicans foot the bill — and the recently overturned ban prohibiting immigrants and refugees from seven predominately-Muslim countries from entering the United States.
“We’ve got to stand up for our morals, and a couple of dollars aren’t worth all of the angst. An opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime. If you’re a mere bystander, you’re part of the abuse,” Romero said.
Immigration is an issue that hits close to home for Romero.
He is a first-generation American whose family hails from Mexico City. His mother and father, Ana and Alejandro, crossed the American border many years ago on legal visas.
Romero was born in Texas, but spent much of his childhood in Mexico City. When he was eight years old, his parents moved the family back to America, and in 2003 his father opened up Jessy’s Tienda y Taqueria in Ocean View.
Romero took over the business in 2009 when his father retired to Querétaro, Mexico.
“It was never his intention to stay here. He’s a true Mexican who loves the liberty of being in Mexico,” Romero said of his father.
Romero said the move to close his businesses wasn’t motivated by politics, but by his moral belief that Americans should stand up for immigrants. He hopes the closing will serve as a sign to the Hampton Roads community that he supports the rights of all immigrants — regardless of their status or skin color.
“We’re speaking up for the weak,” Romero said.
Romero said other Hampton Roads businesses participating in the “Day Without Immigrants” include Maya Mexican Restaurant on East Little Creek Road, Los Cuates Taqueria in Virginia Beach and La Tapatia in Virginia Beach.
“The most positive side effect of all of this is the community coming together and standing together,” Romero said.
Mayfield can be reached at [email protected].
