Passaic's annual Mexican Day Parade postponed amid deportation fears
PASSAIC, New Jersey (WABC) -- Organizers of Passaic's annual Mexican Parade have indefinitely postponed this year's event, citing concerns that attendees could face immigration enforcement actions.
The parade, a longtime tradition in the city, was originally scheduled for Sept. 27. Organizers opted to postpone rather than cancel the event outright, but there will be no parade in two weeks.
Passaic has the highest concentration of Mexicans in New Jersey. For more than 30 years, the city has hosted an annual Mexican Parade that draws about 15,000 celebrants from across the state and the country.
The decision has disappointed some community members and local business owners who say they already are struggling amid a decline in customers.
At La Fortaleza, a Mexican restaurant in Passaic known for serving cemitas, owner Leticia Ortega said business has slowed significantly.
"We would try every day to, you know, hoping for people to come back, hoping for people to buy our things, our services. What we understand is very hard time, but we're hoping for the best for everybody," Ortega said.
Ortega said she has cut her staff in half as she works to pay monthly bills and will now miss out on the additional business typically generated by parade visitors.
"Every night is pretty, pretty empty already. We're hoping for the best. We would try every day to, you know, hoping for people to come back," she said.
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said he was disappointed by the decision to postpone the parade.
"I'm very disappointed. In fact, I'm still hoping that leaders within the Mexican community come together and do something, whether a festival or an activity, to highlight the Mexican community," Lora said.
Another restaurant owner, who asked only to be identified as Jose, said he understood organizers' concerns.
"I would've liked to see this festival happen this year but... the organizer of the festival made the right decision because you're seeing a lot of ICE in Passaic," he said.
Last week, Passaic hosted a Mexican rodeo, which Eyewitness News was told took place without any arrests. However, parade organizers remain concerned that a larger event attracting statewide attention could draw increased attention from immigration enforcement authorities.
For Ortega, the issue is personal. She said her son-in-law, a U.S. citizen, remains detained.
"He was taken last year in October. He was in the detention center and, he got abused there and they sent them to Louisiana," Ortega said.
Organizers have not announced a new date for the parade.
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