Passaic’s Mexican Day Parade in New Jersey will not be held this year, despite its more than 30-year history. Approximately 15,000 people from different parts of New Jersey and other states were expected to attend the event, which was scheduled for September 27, 2026.
Organizers decided to postpone the parade indefinitely, prioritizing the safety and participation of community members amid safety concerns related to ICE operations and immigration enforcement. They did not say that the postponement was based on a specific operation or a single arrest; however, concerns over recent immigration enforcement practices and ICE activities were central to the decision.
The decision affected the community and local businesses
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said he was saddened by the postponement. Lora said fear and anxiety were widespread in the community and expressed his understanding of the organizers’ safety concerns. In this way, concerns over immigration enforcement affected not only individual mobility but also cultural events that bring together thousands of people.
Passaic is known for its large Mexican American community and its commercial district, known as “Little Mexico.” In addition to its cultural significance, the Mexican Day Parade generates annual economic activity for restaurants, stores and other businesses in the city center. Some local businesses said people were going out less because of fear of ICE, causing customer traffic and revenue to drop sharply.
The event’s return date remains uncertain
Although the organizers decided to postpone the event indefinitely, they did not announce that it had ended completely and permanently. However, no new date had been announced as of September 16, 2026. As a result, it remains unclear when the Passaic community will hold the traditional celebration again.
ICE said that people who are lawfully present in the United States and have not violated other laws have nothing to fear. The statement highlighted the gap between the assurances from official authorities to people with lawful status and the tangible fear and insecurity reflected in the postponement of the event in Passaic.
