Latino festival organizers across America are canceling beloved cultural celebrations as fears of ICE raids spread under Trump’s deportation policy.
At a Glance
- Southeast Iowa’s annual Latino heritage festival was canceled due to fears of potential ICE raids
- Over 30,000 deportations have been reported since President Trump took office
- Similar cancelations have occurred in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Oregon
- 80% of Latinos in the US are legal citizens, yet 43% fear arrest by immigration authorities
- Juneteenth celebrations are also being scaled back due to the administration’s stance on DEI programs
Fear Over Festivals: Communities Cancel Cultural Celebrations
The annual Latino heritage festival in southeast Iowa has been canceled, the latest casualty in a growing trend of cultural events being shelved due to fears of immigration enforcement. Organizers made the difficult decision after community members expressed concerns about potential ICE raids at the gathering. This cancelation isn’t happening in isolation — similar events in Chicago, Philadelphia, and central Oregon have been scaled back or eliminated entirely as President Trump’s immigration policies take effect. With over 30,000 deportations reported since Trump took office, the anxiety in immigrant communities is palpable and growing.
“We’ve had a lot of people scared in our community. So many things are changing that we’ve just decided that it’s best to keep our community safe. We’d hate for an event that is supposed to bring our community together end up affecting them for the worse.” – Sonia Leyva
Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, typically vibrant with Cinco de Mayo celebrations, has gone quiet. Philadelphia’s El Carnaval de Puebla was canceled. Meanwhile, ICE has reportedly conducted operations in sanctuary cities and targeted locations near schools and churches. Nearly 66,500 undocumented immigrants have been arrested in the first 100 days of Trump’s term, according to federal reports. The Washington Police Department insists they “do not and will not stop individuals only to determine their residency status,” but with the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s agreement with ICE to form an immigration enforcement task force, the community isn’t taking chances.
Economic Losses and Community Impact
These cancelations represent more than just missed fun — they’re significant economic and cultural losses. The festivals generate revenue for local businesses and provide rare opportunities for cross-cultural exchange in communities. Festival organizers face the difficult choice between economic benefits and community safety. For Washington, Iowa’s Latino community, the annual festival was a highlight that brought together Hispanic and non-Hispanic residents alike. Now, instead of celebrating, organizers will focus on educational workshops and citizenship classes — practical necessities in the current climate.
“It’s quite devastating, to tell you the truth, because this is an event that our entire community looks forward to every year, not just Latinos, but also non-Hispanic people. It’s a community event that brings our community and people from outside the community to come celebrate and enjoy that day together.” – Sonia Leyva
The fear extends beyond those without documentation. According to UnidosUS, 43% of Latino voters now fear arrest by immigration authorities, despite the fact that 80% of Latinos in the United States are legal citizens. Many community members report cases of racial profiling and concerns about deportation without due process. Local business owners have noted significant drops in foot traffic and sales as people avoid gathering in public spaces where they might be targeted.
Beyond Latino Events: Juneteenth Celebrations Also Threatened
The cultural event cancelation wave isn’t limited to Latino communities. Juneteenth celebrations are also being scaled back or relocated due to the administration’s stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The NAACP had to find a new venue for its Juneteenth event after policies were misinterpreted. Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival was reduced from multiple days to a single day due to loss of sponsorship. These cancelations come just as Juneteenth had finally gained national recognition as a federal holiday, commemorating the end of slavery in America.
“We don’t want to take a chance and put our community at risk. It’s a loss economically, but we put safety over money.” – Hector Escobar
For now, community organizers remain resilient despite the setbacks. Many are finding alternative ways to preserve cultural traditions through smaller, private gatherings or virtual events. Organizations like UnidosUS are focusing on educating community members about their constitutional rights. The message from organizers is clear: stay positive, stay informed, and look toward the future. While festivals may be canceled this year, community leaders are determined that celebrations of heritage and culture will eventually return when the political climate changes.
