Philadelphia Mexican cultural fest canceled due to ICE fears

One of the largest annual celebrations of Mexican culture on the East Coast will not take place in 2026, as organizers of El Carnaval de Puebla announced the event will again be canceled in Philadelphia.

The festival, which has been held annually since 2005, has now been called off for the second year in a row. Organizers said uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement makes it difficult to safely host the event, which traditionally commemorates the Battle of Puebla each May for the holiday known as Cinco de Mayo.

“We are not scared of ICE; it is not fear that drives us,” said Edgar Ramirez, founder of Philatinos Radio and a committee member for San Mateo Carnavalero. “Many of the people who attend the carnival are second or third generation, but we are living at a time where the feeling of rejection is palpable, and it is not a suitable environment.”

El Carnaval de Puebla has only been a few times since its founding, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency in 2017, and again last year following his reelection. Organizers cited concerns that the event could draw unwanted immigration enforcement attention.

Since Trump’s return to office, the number of immigrants held in federal detention has reportedly risen above 65,000, marking a significant increase since January.

South Philadelphia has seen several Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in recent months, including the arrest of five men in a local park last September while they were celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day before heading to work.

Committee member Olga Renteria said the lack of predictability has made it nearly impossible to secure sponsors or generate enough revenue to meet city permitting requirements.

“It’s hard to ask people to invest when there is no certainty that the carnival will be able to drive the success of previous years,” Renteria said to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She noted that more than 15,000 people attended the event in 2024. “The carnival is about family, sharing, drinking, enjoying yourself, and right now, any excuse is good enough to arrest someone; one incident is enough.”

“The carnival would have been good to lift our spirits, just as the Day of the Dead celebrations did,” Romero said. “Without it, it feels like a sense of pride and unity is missing; now we just carry it in our hearts.”

Karina Sanchez, who has attended every parade since the event began, said the absence of the festival will have an impact across the city. “I understand it’s important for the community to feel safe, but it’s sad to see us shrinking ourselves,” Sanchez said. “When that sentiment grows, it is not a loss just for us, but for Philadelphia as a whole.”