What was supposed to be a vibrant celebration of culture and community has now become a stark reflection of fear.
In Chicago, the annual Cinco de Mayo Parade—usually full of music, color, and pride—has officially been cancelled.
Not because of weather, not due to lack of funding, but because of something far heavier: fear of immigration raids.
This year’s parade, which was scheduled to take place in the city’s Southwest Side, was called off after rising concerns about a new wave of enforcement actions under former President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown.
Community Leaders Say Fear Has Silenced the Festivities
“We’re scared,” said Hector Escobar, who heads the Casa Puebla & Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce.
He spoke candidly about the unease gripping local immigrant communities.
“Some people don’t even want to leave their homes to go to work. We just don’t feel like there’s anything to celebrate right now.”
The Cinco de Mayo Parade has long been more than just a party.
It’s a moment of pride—originally honoring Mexico’s historic victory over France in the Battle of Puebla.
But over the years, it’s grown into a broader celebration of Mexican American culture and identity, especially in cities like Chicago where immigrant roots run deep.
A Sanctuary City Under Pressure Once Again
Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city has made it an early target for immigration crackdowns under Trump’s second term.
Not long after his return to office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched one of its first major raids right here.
That pressure has now crept from the city center to the surrounding suburbs.
Organizers feared that holding a public, high-profile event like the parade could endanger attendees and risk turning the celebration into a staging ground for arrests.
“We didn’t want a situation where people come to enjoy the parade and end up being taken into custody,” Escobar said.
“This isn’t about money or logistics—it’s about keeping our community safe.”
Parade Has Faced Setbacks Before—but This One Hits Different
This isn’t the first time the Cinco de Mayo Parade has been cancelled.
The COVID-19 pandemic shut it down from 2018 to 2022, and clashes between organizers and the city also caused friction.
Last year, violence broke out during the event, leading to arrests and a forced rerouting of the parade route.
But this year’s cancellation feels even more unsettling, especially because it comes amid renewed threats of large-scale deportations.
Escobar admitted there’s no clear plan for next year either.
It all depends on whether these aggressive enforcement efforts continue—or get worse.
Trump’s ‘Border Czar’ Promises Crackdowns Will Continue
Fueling the anxiety are remarks made by Trump’s immigration enforcer Tom Homan, dubbed the “border czar.” In a December speech at a local GOP holiday event, Homan didn’t hold back.
He warned that Chicago was “in trouble” and even lashed out at the city’s mayor and Illinois governor.
“If the mayor doesn’t want to help, get the hell out of the way,” Homan said, threatening legal action against officials who “harbor or conceal” undocumented immigrants.
He made it clear that no one would be spared if they interfered with federal efforts.
Homan also declared that families would not be separated “as a rule,” but parents of Dreamers—children of migrants born in the U.S.—would face hard choices.
“You either take your child with you or leave them here,” he said. “But you don’t get a pass.”
Raids Are Already Reshaping Daily Life in Chicago
The impact of these threats is already being felt. Since the start of the new enforcement push, over 6,000 migrants have been deported, according to officials.
The ripple effects have reached factories, grocery stores, and even churches.
In Joliet, a factory that usually saw 40 to 50 migrant workers each shift only had ten show up in late January. Local businesses noticed the eerie silence.
Parking lots at places like Home Depot, typically full of day laborers seeking jobs, were nearly deserted.
Even Sunday mass at St. Agnes of Bohemia Catholic Church—a longtime haven for immigrants—saw fewer parishioners in the pews.
Empty Chairs, Quiet Streets, and Growing Uncertainty
Social media has become flooded with photos and videos showing empty waiting rooms at clinics, quiet aisles at Walmart, and shuttered workspaces that once buzzed with activity.
The fear of being swept up in an ICE raid has led many to stay indoors, even if it means losing income or skipping essential services.
While the parade may seem like just one event, its cancellation is a symbol of something much deeper: a community frozen in fear, unsure of what tomorrow will bring.
And as Escobar put it plainly, “At this point, we don’t know what’s going to happen next year.”