Heading into national celebrations, Mexican community warned of anti-immigrant crusade in Chicago

The festivities and celebrations for Mexican Independence Day in Chicago, one of the most important sanctuary cities for migrants in the United States, are being canceled or postponed due to the threat of raids led by the federal government’s premier anti-immigrant agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Localities like Little Village and Pilsen, which are predominantly made up of Mexicans, have empty streets and empty businesses, in contrast to other years, when September became a celebration of the anniversary of Mexican Independence and Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, which runs from September 15 to October 15 each year.

“There has been an increase in services here at the council, where we give away clothing and provide social services. It has increased significantly because workers aren’t going to work, they don’t want to go to work out of fear, and that greatly affects families,” Baltazar Enríquez, president of the Little Village Community Council, told MILENIO.
The center, presided over by Baltazar Enríquez, supports people on the move who need legal guidance, clothing, and even some furniture.

The campaign against the migrant community, originating from the White House, led to the permanent postponement of El Grito Chicago, the largest festival in the city for Independence Day.

“It has been a painful decision, but holding El Grito Chicago at this time would jeopardize the safety of our community, a risk we are not willing to take,” the committee that organizes the event, which draws hundreds of thousands of people, wrote in a statement.

The event, scheduled for September 13 and 14, would also mark the start of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, which runs from September 15 to October 15. This is a time when the U.S. government, including the White House, celebrates the contributions of the Spanish-speaking community in their country.