"While insisting that her real name not be published, Adriana, an undocumented migrant, says that this year, for the first time in her 10 years in the United States, she will not be joining the celebrations for the Grito de la Independencia de Mexico (Cry of Mexican Independence). It pains her because it's a tradition she attended before she emigrated and because it was instilled in her son, who was born in Texas."
"She, however, feels unsafe due to the White House's anti-immigrant policies and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. So she will stay home, where she will have an intimate dinner on the patio, featuring tacos and ranchera music. Before, we used to go to the gatherings organized by the consulates, wear traditional dresses, eat tamales, and celebrate with music and dancing, Adriana recalls."
"In Chicago, where 30% of the population is Latino, mostly of Mexican descent, anxiety has swallowed up the festive atmosphere that was usual in September. President Donald Trump's decision to deploy federal agents to the city, under the guise of combating crime, has intensified immigration enforcement and, thus, fear. The celebration of El Grito Chicago was postponed. It was a painful decision, but holding it at this time would jeopardize the safety of our community, the organizers said in a statement."
Adriana, an undocumented migrant, will not attend Grito de la Independencia celebrations for the first time in her ten years in the United States. The annual tradition and a 215th independence anniversary feel unsafe because of the White House's anti-immigrant policies and ICE raids. Adriana plans a quiet patio dinner with tacos and ranchera music instead of public festivities. Chicago's large Latino population has seen anxiety erase usual September celebrations after federal agents were deployed and enforcement intensified. Organizers postponed El Grito Chicago, citing community safety risks. Thousands protested threats of deportation in response to heightened immigration enforcement.
Read at english.elpais.com
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