Cinco de Mayo parade in Chicago cancels for second time over immigration enforcement concerns

By South Loop TV News Team

For a second year in a row, Little Village will not hold its annual Cinco de Mayo parade due to concerns over federal immigration raids. 

The cancellation of the Cinco de Mayo parade means fewer people will be out in the neighborhood supporting the Little Village’s local businesses and street vendors.

Immigrant communities in Chicago are still reeling from “Operation Midway Blitz,” the Trump administration’s large-scale immigration crackdown that began in September. 

Raids have slowed in recent months, but the concerns are ever-present, and the cancellation of the parade feeds into the negative effect of local businesses and street vendors. 

Little Village is one of the largest densest Mexican-American communities in the U.S. About 77% of residents are of Mexican descent, according to data from the city. 

Reporter: Sydney Richardson

Camera: Sofia Oyarzún

Web writer: Matt Brady