Starbucks baristas across America temporarily walked off the job to protest President Trump’s deportation policies, sparking a conservative backlash and calls for boycotts against the coffee chain.
At a Glance
- Starbucks Workers United organized protests at multiple locations against Trump’s deportation policies
- The protest followed the arrest of Turkish national Rumeysa Ozturk, whose visa was rescinded
- Conservative customers launched a #BoycottStarbucks campaign on social media
- Approximately two dozen workers participated in the coordinated demonstration
- The protest videos gained millions of views across social media platforms
Union-Led Protest Against Deportation Policies
A group of Starbucks baristas staged a brief but highly visible protest against President Donald Trump’s deportation policies. The demonstration, which involved about two dozen workers from several Starbucks locations, was organized by Starbucks Workers United in response to the arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national. Workers temporarily stopped serving customers to read prepared statements expressing solidarity with immigrants and condemning the administration’s immigration enforcement actions.
The protest specifically highlighted the detention of Ozturk and other Service Employees International Union (SEIU) members. Ozturk’s visa was rescinded prior to her arrest, leading to accusations that the Trump administration violated her free speech rights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s position, stating that visas can be denied to those planning to participate in disruptive activities rather than legitimate educational pursuits.
Conservative Backlash and Boycott Calls
The actions of the Starbucks employees prompted immediate backlash from conservative customers and MAGA supporters, who launched a #BoycottStarbucks campaign on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). This marks the second major boycott call against the coffee chain during the Trump era, following a similar situation in 2017 when former CEO Howard Schultz pledged to hire 10,000 refugees in response to Trump’s executive order banning immigration from certain countries.
“We are stopping work for a few minutes to read a statement in protest of actions against our fellow workers” – Starbucks Workers United members at the Ellicott City location in Maryland.
The current boycott is part of a broader “Economic Blackout Tour” that also targets Walmart for scaling back diversity efforts. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some conservatives vowing to take their business elsewhere while others have defended Starbucks’ stance on human rights. The protest videos have garnered millions of views across various social media platforms, significantly amplifying both the protesters’ message and the subsequent boycott campaign.
Republican Divisions on Immigration Policy
The Starbucks protest highlights deeper divisions within the Republican Party over immigration policy. President Trump has promised to implement what would be the largest deportation program in U.S. history, raising concerns among some GOP representatives in swing districts with significant immigrant populations. South Florida Republican Maria Elvira Salazar is among those advocating for a more nuanced approach through her proposed Dignity Act.
“If you are the lady who’s been cleaning toilets for 22 years, and you do not have a criminal record, and you have American kids, and you have been paying taxes, and you have been here helping the economy, we should give you dignity.” – SALAZAR.
Salazar’s Dignity Act seeks to block deportations of immigrants who have been integral to their communities, particularly those working in hospitality, construction, and agriculture who have no criminal record. The legislation proposes a new path to legal status, though not citizenship, for immigrants with at least five years of U.S. residency and clean criminal backgrounds. GOP Congressman David Valadao has previously cosponsored the bill, while others like New York Republican Nicole Malliotakis support Trump’s stricter enforcement policies.
Labor Movement Solidarity
The Starbucks Workers United protest emphasized the historical role of immigrants in building America’s labor movement. In their statement, the union highlighted how immigrant workers have been instrumental in securing rights and protections for all American workers through their sacrifices and advocacy. The protesters called for their stores to be designated as safe spaces for all community members, regardless of immigration status.
“Immigrants are the foundation of our current labor movement — their sacrifices helped win rights and protections for all workers. At this pivotal movement in history, the U.S. labor movement must stand together to support these vital members of our society.” – Starbucks Workers United.
Political science professor Eduardo Gamarra suggests the administration’s handling of immigration enforcement could significantly impact the Republican Party’s control of Congress and the White House in future elections. The debate over these policies continues to expose tensions within the GOP and may influence voter sentiment in upcoming elections, particularly in districts with significant immigrant populations where Republicans have previously held narrow margins.
