Activist for the cause of “undocumented” Latino immigrants in the US, Carlos Eduardo Espina coordinates the campaign for “Day without Immigrants”, suggested to be on February 14th, when Valentine's Day is celebrated in the country.

Carlos Espina is a 23-year-old young man committed to the work of elevating the community of “undocumented” Latinos in the country. In 2019, he was busy giving face-to-face citizenship classes to immigrants for free and, with the advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic, he started using digital platforms to not interrupt his activities. He achieved great notoriety with the success of the videos of his classes on “TikTok”, and grew an audience on social media that is difficult to compare to any other movement on the subject of immigration.

With more than 2.4 million followers on “TikTok” and more than 88,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, Espina started a movement that seeks to draw attention to the situation of the immigrant and working population in the country. On “Day without Immigrants”, he calls on all immigrants and cause supporters, speaking Spanish or English, to “disturb” Valentine's Day by not attending work, school, or commerce.

The young man spoke of his idea to Latino Rebels from the Rio Grande Valley, where he works to help unaccompanied immigrant children: “But underneath all the celebrations are millions of documented and undocumented immigrants that sustain the economy. Yet, these same immigrants continue to be mistreated and denied a path to permanent legal status”.

Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), congratulated the idea when asked about Carlos Espina's initiative.

At the time, according to the publication, Ocasio-Cortez stated: “Strikes, general strikes—whatever it takes for people to realize the value of immigrant labor. I mean, you take a date to a nice restaurant—who do you think is making the food? Who do you think has the hands that feed us? I support any sort of action or efforts that our immigrant community and those who stand in solidarity with them are committing to highlight the necessity that they have in our system”.

Espina created a Facebook group to coordinate the campaign that, in a short time, had more than 29,000 people, many are volunteering to help translate campaign materials into English.

Also known for making frequent appearances on the TV channels Univision and Telemundo when presenting news in Spanish, Espina wants to get more support and raise money to advocate for the immigrants’ rights.

To find out more about Carlos Eduardo Espina, visit his personal website.