Chicago organizers canceled multiple Mexican Independence Day events, including El Grito (scheduled 13–14 Sept), on 7 September 2025 after reports that the Trump administration plans to deploy national guard troops and federal immigration agents to the city; separately, the UN postal agency reported inbound postal traffic to the US fell by more than 80% after a tariff exemption was ended.
Key Takeaways
- Several Chicago festivals tied to Mexican Independence Day were canceled or postponed amid safety concerns and reports of planned troop and immigration-agent deployments.
- El Grito Chicago, which drew about 24,000 attendees last year, was among the events called off (13–14 Sept).
- Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker publicly expressed concern about ICE activity at community events.
- The United Nations postal agency (UPU) said inbound postal traffic to the US plunged by over 80% after the Trump administration ended a tariff exemption for low-cost imports.
- Trump has previously deployed national guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, DC, and administration officials are pursuing new immigration operations in other states.
- The developments add to wider political debate over public safety, immigration enforcement and trade policy ahead of the November cycle.
Verified Facts
Organizers confirmed on 7 September 2025 that El Grito Chicago — an annual Mexican Independence Day celebration that attracted roughly 24,000 people last year — would not proceed as planned on 13–14 September. Event leaders cited concerns about public safety after media reports said the administration intends to send national guard units and federal immigration agents to Chicago.
The decision followed deployments of national guard forces to Los Angeles and Washington, DC earlier in the week, moves that city and state officials warned could heighten tensions at large public gatherings. Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker stated he was worried about potential ICE operations targeting attendees at Mexican Independence Day events.
Separately, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations postal agency, reported a drop of more than 80% in inbound postal traffic to the United States after the administration ended a tariff exemption that had applied to many low-cost overseas parcels. The change took effect in early September and immediately affected parcel volumes entering US postal channels.
The administration has also announced new immigration enforcement activity in other states, with a Department of Homeland Security official confirming an operation beginning in Massachusetts, according to reporting from major US outlets.
Context & Impact
Festival cancellations reflect heightened anxiety in immigrant and Latino communities ahead of large cultural events. Mexican Independence Day on 16 September is traditionally marked by parades, concerts and family gatherings; community organizers say advance notice of enforcement activity can force difficult choices about public events.
The sharp decline in inbound postal traffic has economic and logistical consequences: small businesses and consumers who rely on low-cost international suppliers face longer wait times and higher costs, while parcel carriers and postal services must adjust sorting and distribution operations.
Political implications are also clear. Officials in Democratic-led cities argue that deploying federal troops or large-scale immigration operations to cities governed by Democrats is selective and could inflame partisan tensions before the November elections.
- Community level: Event cancellations reduce opportunities for local vendors and cultural exchange.
- Economic level: An 80% fall in international parcel volume could hit small import-dependent retailers and consumers.
- Political level: Moves to deploy forces and end trade exemptions sharpen national debates over immigration and trade policy.
Official Statements
We canceled El Grito because holding the celebration now would put community safety at risk, a decision we did not take lightly.
El Grito Chicago organizers (event statement)
We are closely monitoring reports of federal deployments and remain committed to protecting residents’ safety and civil liberties.
Office of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Unconfirmed
- Precise scale and timing of any coordinated mass deportation operation tied specifically to the reported Chicago deployment remain publicly unverified.
- Reports vary on which federal units and how many personnel would be assigned to city operations; official deployment orders had not been publicly posted at the time of reporting.
Bottom Line
Organizers in Chicago canceled major Mexican Independence Day events amid fear of federal deployments and immigration enforcement, underscoring how enforcement policy can disrupt community life. At the same time, an abrupt end to a tariff exemption triggered an unprecedented fall in inbound postal traffic to the US, with immediate economic and logistical fallout. Both developments are likely to shape local and national discussions on public safety, immigration policy and trade in the coming weeks.