Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day Celebrations Canceled Amid Escalating Trump Deployment Tensions

Mexican Independence Day celebrations across Chicago are being canceled and postponed as community organizers express grave concerns over President Donald Trump’s plans to deploy National Guard troops and federal immigration agents to the city. The move, announced ahead of the September 16 holiday, has sparked widespread anxiety and fear, particularly within Chicago’s significant Mexican community.

Among the key events affected is El Grito Chicago, an annual festival that drew 24,000 attendees last year, which was scheduled for September 13-14. Organizers cited community safety as the primary reason for the “painful decision,” stating they were unwilling to risk attendees’ well-being. Other events, including the Mexican Independence Day parade and festival in the suburb of Waukegan, have been postponed until November, and the Latin Heritage Fest in Wauconda has been canceled outright.

President Trump recently escalated his rhetoric, inaccurately labeling Chicago “the most dangerous city in the world” and threatening to “go in” with federal forces. His administration intends to send 230 agents, primarily from Customs and Border Protection, to the city as part of an intensified effort to conduct immigration arrests. This comes after similar deployments of national guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker voiced strong opposition, expressing concerns that ICE agents might specifically target attendees at Mexican Independence Day events. Pritzker suggested that the timing of the deployment in September was deliberately chosen to coincide with these celebrations. He critically responded to a recent social media post by Trump on Truth Social, where the President referenced “the Department of War” and “the smell of deportations in the morning,” calling it a threat of war against an American city.

The cancellations are a direct response to the heightened fear among residents. “It feels like a slap in the face,” commented Galiela Mendez, 25, on the El Grito cancellation, reflecting the widespread apprehension. Despite the uncertainty, some residents still attended smaller, local parades, albeit with palpable nervousness. Official data contradicts Trump’s assertions, showing Chicago is not among the country’s most dangerous cities and has seen a decrease in homicides.

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