Organizers in Chicago and nearby suburbs canceled or postponed multiple Mexican Independence Day events on 13–16 September 2025 after federal plans to send national guard troops and an estimated 230 Customs and Border Protection agents to the city raised safety and immigration-enforcement concerns among the Mexican community.
Key Takeaways
- Several large community events tied to Mexican Independence Day were called off or moved amid worries about immigration enforcement.
- El Grito Chicago, which drew about 24,000 people last year, was canceled for safety reasons.
- The administration plans to deploy roughly 230 CBP agents from Los Angeles and additional National Guard personnel.
- Illinois had an estimated 550,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2023, according to Pew Research Center figures.
- Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker publicly warned that attendees could be targeted by federal immigration agents.
- Organizers and residents described heightened anxiety and uncertainty ahead of the holiday.
Verified Facts
The cancellations affect multiple events tied to Mexican Independence Day, which falls on 16 September. Organizers of El Grito Chicago announced that staging the festival this year would “put the safety of our community at stake” and therefore decided to cancel the event that in 2024 attracted an estimated 24,000 attendees.
Local reports indicate the federal plan includes sending about 230 agents, most identified as Customs and Border Protection officers, to Chicago from Los Angeles to increase immigration arrests. The move follows recent deployments of national guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
State officials and local leaders voiced concern that the timing of the federal deployments — coinciding with large, public celebrations tied to Mexican Independence Day — could deter attendance and raise the risk of immigration enforcement actions at community gatherings. Governor J.B. Pritzker said authorities had reason to believe the month was chosen because of those celebrations.
| Event | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| El Grito Chicago | Cancelled | About 24,000 attendees in 2024 |
| Waukegan parade & festival | Postponed | Rescheduled to November |
| Latin Heritage Fest (Wauconda) | Cancelled | Organizers cited safety concerns |
Context & Impact
People of Mexican descent make up roughly 21% of Chicago’s population, and Independence Day celebrations are an annual cultural touchstone that draw families, vendors and local businesses. The cancellations not only disrupt cultural expression but also have economic implications for vendors and neighborhood enterprises that rely on festival traffic.
Community leaders said the announcements triggered fear among residents who may avoid public spaces to reduce the risk of encountering federal immigration agents. Organizers framed their decisions as precautionary measures intended to protect families and children.
The broader political context includes public remarks by President Trump describing Chicago as extremely dangerous and signaling aggressive enforcement. State and city officials have pushed back, noting homicide figures and crime statistics do not substantiate the president’s characterisation of the city.
Local law enforcement and municipal leaders face pressure to balance public-safety planning for large events with concerns about creating an environment where people feel safe to attend community gatherings.
Official Statements
Governor J.B. Pritzker said officials were concerned that federal agents could target festival attendees, and he questioned the timing of the deployment.
Governor J.B. Pritzker
Unconfirmed
- The specific operational plans and rules of engagement for the 230 agents in Chicago have not been publicly released in full by federal authorities.
- Reports differ on whether agents will focus solely on immigration warrants or broader enforcement; precise targeting criteria remain unclear.
Bottom Line
The planned federal deployments have had a tangible immediate effect: community organizers canceled or postponed major Mexican Independence Day events citing safety and enforcement concerns. The episode highlights tensions between federal immigration actions and local community life, and it may shape turnout and public sentiment around future cultural events.