Latest news with #CermakRoadChamberof
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cinco de Mayo parade canceled in Chicago due to fears over immigration enforcement
Cinco de Mayo in Chicago will be canceled this year due to fears of strict immigration enforcement, a local organizer of the event said. The Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce, who announced on Thursday that they are canceling the event, reportedly said the Mexican community in Chicago is concerned about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "Our people are scared," Hector Escobar, president of the Casa Puebla and Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce, said to a local ABC affiliate. Escobar went on to say, "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." Frustrated Chicago Residents Fed Up With Spending On Illegal Immigrants, Call For Republican Leadership Cinco de Mayo is held annually on the southwest side of Chicago, involving a parade with musical performances and activities celebrating Mexican culture. Read On The Fox News App ICE conducted raids across the Windy City, targeting suspected criminal migrants' records, as well as arresting undocumented immigrants if they were caught at the raid sites. Soon after President Donald Trump was elected into office, ICE made hundreds of arrests of illegal immigrants, including those with criminal histories that include sexual assault, domestic violence and drugs and weapons crimes. Chicago Alderman Accuses Mayor Johnson Of Only Listening To 'Hyper-liberal White Progressives' On Immigration Trump's border czar pick, Tom Homan, pledged to go after Chicago with strict enforcement, vowing to verify the status of asylum seekers and arrest anyone providing sanctuary to illegal immigrants. The incoming border czar also warned that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson would be prosecuted should he obstruct ICE's mass deportation efforts. "Our community is very frightened because of the raids and the threat that ICE has imposed on the families that work tirelessly to provide a better future for their kids," Escobar said in a statement obtained by CBS. "Our community has faced bullying and prosecution and are not indulging in community activities, therefore we feel that there is nothing to celebrate." Escobar did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Furthermore, Johnson and other sanctuary city-supporting mayors were pressed by federal lawmakers to explain their policies last month. Immigration has been a hot topic in the city after several residents blasted the mayor for his handling of the large influx of migrants that have come to the city over the past two article source: Cinco de Mayo parade canceled in Chicago due to fears over immigration enforcement
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
St. Paul Cinco de Mayo parade planned despite Chicago, Philly canceling over ICE
The Brief Chicago and Philadelphia have both canceled their Cinco de Mayo Parade due to fears concerning ICE. The St. Paul Cinco de Mayo Parade plans to go full speed ahead, though 30 non-food vendors have backed out of the St. parade due to concerns over turnout. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Chicago and Philadelphia canceled their respective Cinco de Mayo parades over ICE concerns and the Trump administration's efforts to deport undocumented migrants. What they're saying "Unfortunately, we have to cancel the Cinco de Mayo parade and festivities. It was a hard decision… because all people are afraid, very afraid of their rights, very afraid of the new administration," said Hector Escobar, Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce and Casa Puebla President. Organizers from both parades cite the growing fear in the Latino community over the Trump Administration's Immigration policies. In St. Paul, there are growing fears as well. "I know there's concerns around here, vendors, and some people in the community," said Santino Franco, co-chair of West Side Fiestas. Local perspective The concerns around St. Paul's Cinco De Mayo Parade stem from undocumented migrants getting deported by ICE around the country. It follows a campaign promise President Trump made to deport all illegal immigrants. "I don't anticipate having ICE here. I think that would be unfortunate to come down here, where we anticipate having over 20,000 people. You know, this is a day of celebration," said Franco. Currently, 30 non-food vendors have backed out of this year's parade, citing concern over a potential lower turnout due to fears of ICE. "We've had some meetings on immigration, and of course there's probably some undocumented people in the neighborhood that there's concerns," said Franco. The show must go on Santino Franco says they are getting more phone calls from vendors for the parade. They also have more food vendors this year than last year. He hopes the parade goes off without a hitch. "We invite everybody here. So, you know, there's no concerns for us, because, you know, we're here and we're legal, we're Americans," said Franco. Franco adds that there's nothing he or St. Paul police can do to prevent ice from coming. The Cino De Mayo festivities are set to take place the first weekend in May. The parade kicks off Saturday, May 3.
CBS News
11-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Chicago Cinco de Mayo parade cancellation will cost businesses, community
Immigration fears have forced Little Village to cancel its annual Cinco De Mayo parade , and while the primary concern is safety, the move will cost businesses and the community money. Guerrero Auto Repair has been a proud participant in the Chicago Cinco De Mayo parade for more than 30 years. "It's something every year we look forward to," said Erika Cruz of Guerrero Auto Repair. "Our kids are fourth generation. We want to teach them about our culture, a lot of stuff we grew up with." But that lesson will be lost this year now that the parade has been canceled. "It was a hard decision, but people are afraid, very afraid of the new administration, Donald Trump," said Hector Escobar of the Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce. There have been raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement across the country, including in Chicago, so the thought of attending a public event in the neighborhood raises a frightening question. "Most of this is, like, what about if the immigration shows up?" Escobar said. Organizers say the chamber of commerce will lose about $1.5 million by cancelling this year's parade. Businesses that depend on the crowds to eat and shop will lose $5 million to $6 million. But the chamber pointed out that businesses in the community have already been losing money, some down 60% since Jan. 1, which Cruz's family can attest to. "We had a high clientele of Venezuelans, Colombians, Cubans, different other races," she said. "We've seen that amount of clientele decrease since the Trump administration." While the chamber understands the concern, they understand the need for safety. "I think it's more important to be safe right now than sorry," said Escobar. The question now is how long will they live in fear? "I mean honestly, it's been so crazy with this administration that we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow," he said.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chicago's Cinco de Mayo parade canceled over fear tied to Trump's immigration policies, organizers say
The Brief The annual Cermak Road Cinco de Mayo parade and festivities have been canceled. Organizers say fear of immigration raids under the Trump administration played a key role. They hope to resume the celebration in the future when the community feels safe again. CHICAGO - Chicago's annual Cinco de Mayo parade on Cermak Road has been canceled this year, with organizers pointing to rising fear in the Mexican community due to federal immigration policies. What we know In a joint statement, the Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce and Casa Puebla announced the difficult decision to cancel the traditional Cinco de Mayo parade and festivities. The organizations cited deep concerns about community safety in light of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. "Our community is very frightened because of the raids and the threat that ICE has imposed on the families that work tirelessly to provide a better future for their kids," the statement read. The parade has long been a fixture in Chicago's Mexican-American community, drawing crowds to the Little Village neighborhood each spring to celebrate heritage, music, and culture. But organizers say this year, many community members are choosing to stay home out of fear. What's next While there will be no parade this year, both the Chamber and Casa Puebla expressed hope for the future. "Our community has faced bullying and prosecution and are not indulging in community activities, (therefore) we feel that there is nothing to celebrate," the statement said. "We hope that in the near future things get situated and we can continue with the (5 de Mayo) Celebration for many more years to come." The Source The information in this article was provided by the Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce and Casa Puebla.
CBS News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Chicago Cinco de Mayo Parade canceled due to concerns about ICE raids
Chicago's annual Cinco de Mayo Parade in the Little Village neighborhood will not take place in 2025. Organizers said Thursday that the Trump administration's immigration policies are to blame for the cancellation. The Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce said the Mexican community in Chicago is worried about raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Our community is very frightened because of the raids and the threat that ICE has imposed on the families that work tirelessly to provide a better future for their kids," chamber President Hector Escobar said in a statement. "Our community has faced bullying and prosecution and are not indulging in community activities, therefore we feel that there is nothing to celebrate." Organizers said they are planning for the event's return next year.
