Everyday we hear negativity from politicians and newspapers about immigrants. But this is far from the whole story. Migrants contribute hugely to our economy, and to the vital services we rely on to keep our country running.

With a hard-Brexit on the horizon, and Trump’s refugee ban causing global chaos, it’s now more important than ever that we recognise the contribution our friends and colleagues from other countries make to our communities and workplaces.

One Day Without Us is inviting migrant workers - and everyone who supports them - to join in a show of solidarity against the politics of hate and division. This can be as simple as posting on social media. Will you join in?

Yes - I’ll stand with our migrant colleagues and friends

Racist vans, inhumane detention centres and anti-immigrant policies have made migrants scared and uncertain about their futures. Hate crimes are on the rise, while people who have been lawfully employed could lose their right to work in this country.

But as the world watches on with horror at Trump’s refugee ban, we can’t forget it was Theresa May who was the architect of the ‘hostile environment’ -- the Home Office policy to make immigrants in our country feel unwelcome.

One EU worker, who wished to stay anonymous, said for the first time in 18 years, she no longer felt accepted here. ”I fell in love with this country on a university exchange and built my academic career here,” she said. “Now I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay, or even if I’d want to.”

I stand with immigrant workers

These past months have been eye opening for many of us. It’s time for us to change the narrative. We are a nation of immigrants: we can’t forget that. We need to stand together with the bus drivers, the nurses, the architects, the postal workers, the teachers and the business owners of this country, no matter where they come from.

When Home Secretary Amber Rudd proposed to name and shame businesses for employing foreign workers, nearly 60,000 SumOfUs members stood firm, forcing the government to U-turn on their plans. Now we need to unite once more for #1DayWithoutUs, and show our migrant communities just how much we value them.

This community is powerful when it comes together. It’s time we said enough to the demonisation of our immigrant workers, that is so hurtful to so many of us. My own father is a migrant worker -- he’s a doctor who’s worked for our NHS for nearly 50 years now. This day means something for both of us. So on the 20th of February, let’s stand by the millions of people like him who bring so much to our communities. After all, we’re all from somewhere.

Celebrate the contribution of migrant workers to the UK

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