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In Chicago, the organizers of the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration have announced the cancellation of the parade for another consecutive year due to ongoing concerns over immigration policies under the Trump administration.
According to a statement given to ABC7 on Sunday, the event, traditionally held on the city’s Southwest Side, will not take place this year. This decision follows a similar cancellation last year, driven by the same concerns.
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The organizers emphasized that the prevailing immigration policies have instilled fear within the community, prompting them to prioritize safety over celebration.
The parade, which celebrates Mexican heritage, has been a staple in early May festivities in Chicago.
Hector Escobar, President of the Casa Puebla & Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce, expressed the community’s anxiety last year, stating, “Our people are scared. Some are hesitant to even go to work, and many are facing significant risks. Under these circumstances, there isn’t much to celebrate.”
Soon after Inauguration Day in 2025, Chicago became one of several so-called Sanctuary Cities in the U.S. targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Deportation efforts ramped up from the city to the suburbs, leaving some businesses in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, where the parade was expected to step off on Cermak Road, concerned.
“We don’t want to have any confrontation or having people taken away from the festival, from the parade to custody,” Escobar said at the time.
That concern caused nearly half of the events’ sponsors to drop out in 2025.
“We could have done it with the 50% of the sponsorship, which is great, but it’s not, again, about money. It’s just more about the safety,” Escobar said at the time.
The parade has a history of disruptions. It wasn’t held from 2018 to 2022 partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a series of disagreements between organizers and city officials. Two years ago, the parade was forced to reroute due to what police called gang violence, resulting in multiple arrests.
“At this point, we don’t know what is going to happen next year,” Escobar said last year.
Organizers said last year they were hoping for the event’s return in 2026, but were prepared to cancel it if Trump’s immigration policies did not change. Now, they have made the decision to cancel again.
Escobar released the following statement about the 2026 parade:
“The Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce and Casa Puebla regret to inform our community that, after careful consideration, yet again, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festivities.
“This decision comes in light of the challenges our Mexican community continues to face under this administration. Many families are experiencing fear and uncertainty due to increased immigration enforcement actions and the ongoing threat of raids.
“Given these circumstances, members of our community have understandably withdrawn from public gatherings and celebrations. There is nothing to celebrate.
“We remain hopeful that conditions will improve in the future, allowing us to once again come together in celebration of our culture and traditions. We look forward to continuing the Cinco de Mayo festivities for many years to come when our community can do so safely and with peace of mind.”
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