EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — As Hispanic Heritage Month gets underway on Monday, the fear of immigration crackdowns has prompted officials in many cities to cancel celebrations.
From Oregon to Massachusetts, many towns have canceled Mexican Independence Day events, which often begin with large gatherings the night before on Sept. 15.
Chicago, with its immigrant-heavy neighborhoods, and which was recently listed by the White House as the next city that will be the target of stepped-up immigration enforcement, canceled its “Grito” celebration.
That decision came before an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a man who tried to evade arrest Friday by driving his car at officers and dragging one of them.
However, in cities like El Paso, which have not experienced the type of large-scale ICE activity like bigger cities, the celebrations will continue as planned.
In this episode of Border Report Live, correspondent Julian Resendiz and host Rudy Mireles discuss how some officials are hoping to use these events as an opportunity to teach and learn about Hispanic culture.
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego recently told Border Report that Hispanic Heritage Month is more than just a party.
“It’s an opportunity to show the world our contribution as Hispanics and our openness,” he said.
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You can also watch past episodes of the Border Report Live, highlighting not only immigration and border security, but cartel violence in Mexico, border trade, politics and the U.S. and Mexico’s ongoing water dispute on the border.
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