ICE Piñatas: “It’s just Mexican humor, not hate. It’s a way of saying, ‘We’re still here.’”

A Mexican grocery store in Chicago has sparked a national conversation on social media with an unusual and satirical form of protest: piñatas featuring ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. The store, called Dulcelandia, is located in the iconic Little Village neighborhood, an area with a strong Latino presence.

Images of the piñatas, complete with dark glasses, bulletproof vests, and the words “ICE” on their chests, quickly went viral on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, becoming a symbolic expression of the community’s response to the climate of fear generated by recent immigration enforcement operations in various cities across the United States.

The owners of Dulcelandia said the piñatas were placed as a way to channel frustration and simultaneously celebrate Mexican ingenuity. Although not a new product, their appearance in the wake of the recent raids gave them a new meaning.

“It’s just Mexican humor, not hate. It’s a way of saying: we’re still here,” a business representative said in statements reported by local media.

The product has been widely accepted, being used in protests and community gatherings to reinforce the message of identity and resistance.