The recent massive ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids in Los Angeles have had a strong impact on the cultural life of the migrant community.
Three of the four national holiday parades scheduled for September 2025 were cancelled due to fears of road raids, leaving thousands of families without the traditional celebration that for decades has united the Central American and Mexican diaspora in California.
Historic cancellations
The Guatemalan parade, which it has organized for more than four consecutive years, was suspended following a warning from community leaders who fear that the presence of ICE raids will cause chaos or even stampedes.
The same happened with the El Salvador Independence Parade and Festival (Defisal), which since 1999 has gathered thousands of Salvadorans in Southern California.
This year, instead of the traditional street parade, only a gala dinner will be held on September 4.
The Central American and Caribbean Confederation(Cofeca), which groups several countries in the region, also opted to cancel its historic parade.
Instead, it will organize private protocol events and queen coronations at smaller cultural events that are considered “safe”.
The only one that keeps going
The only event that maintains its schedule is the Mexican Independence Day Parade, organized by the Mexican Civic Patriotic Committee (CMCP) in East Los Angeles.
With more than 75 years of history, this parade is considered the oldest and most representative of the Mexican community in the United States.
In 2025, astronaut José M. Hernández will participate as grand marshal and Rosario Marín, the first Mexican to serve as U.S. treasurer, will be present.
This year’s theme will be “Tradition, education and success”.
The event will be held on September 14 and will be broadcast live on television.
We want to send a message of peace and highlight the achievements of immigrants
María Elena Serrano, president of the CMP
Context of the raids in California
Since June 2025, ICE has conducted massive raids in Los Angeles and other cities with large migrant populations.
Although a federal judge imposed temporary restrictions on these raids, operations resumed in August, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.
Activists have denounced that these operations are carried out with racial profiling.
This has already been upheld in part by Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong and subsequently affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
California is the state with the largest migrant population in the country:
11.3 million immigrants (28.4% of the national total), a significant portion of whom lack legal status.
In Los Angeles, where migrants represent almost 9% of all immigrants in the U.S., ICE raids have had a direct effect on the cultural and social life of the community.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
