Chicago Cancels Cinco de Mayo Parade to Protect Illegal Aliens from ICE [WATCH]

The annual Cinco de Mayo parade on Chicago’s southwest side has been canceled this year, with organizers citing concerns over increased federal immigration enforcement operations in the area.

The announcement comes amid growing anxiety within the city’s undocumented population, according to event officials.

The Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce confirmed Thursday that the scheduled celebration will not take place in 2025.

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The event, which traditionally includes a parade and festivities honoring Mexican heritage and culture, typically draws large crowds in the city’s predominantly Latino neighborhoods.

Héctor Escobar, president of Casa Puebla and the Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce, said fears of possible arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) played a central role in the decision.

“Our people are scared,” Escobar told a local ABC affiliate.

“See, some of them, they don’t even want to go to work and some of them, they’ve taken a high risk. And, definitely, it’s not much to celebrate.”

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Escobar did not cite a specific threat but acknowledged a heightened level of concern in the community following recent federal operations.

ICE reportedly conducted enforcement actions across Chicago in recent weeks, targeting individuals with outstanding criminal records and arresting undocumented immigrants who were present at the raid locations.

BREAKING: The Sanctuary City of Chicago just canceled its annual Cinco de Mayo parade to protect all the criminal illegal aliens from being arrested and deported by Trump ICE raids.

Elected City officials should be charged with harboring illegal aliens under 8 U.S.C. § 1324. pic.twitter.com/PBsBlqtNFB

— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) April 14, 2025

The canceled event underscores the legal authority federal agencies continue to exercise, even in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.

Despite the city of Chicago’s longstanding policies limiting cooperation with ICE, federal officers can still operate independently and make arrests under U.S. immigration law.

Cinco de Mayo in Chicago typically features traditional music, food, and dance, bringing together residents to commemorate Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

The parade is one of the city’s largest cultural events each spring.

This year’s cancellation has sparked discussions about the balance between cultural expression and public safety concerns, especially for residents who may be living in the country without legal status.

ICE has not commented publicly on the parade cancellation but has reiterated in past statements that it focuses enforcement efforts on individuals with criminal convictions or those who pose threats to public safety.

While local officials and community leaders continue to express solidarity with immigrant families, Thursday’s announcement signals the broader impact of federal immigration enforcement and the practical limitations of sanctuary city policies.

The decision also highlights the fear that remains within many immigrant communities amid ongoing federal actions.

No alternate event has been announced to replace the canceled celebration.

Organizers have not indicated whether the parade will return in future years.

As of this publication, the city of Chicago has not issued an official statement in response to the parade’s cancellation or the concerns cited by the organizers.

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