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Mexican Independence Day festivities paused
UMOS has decided to pause this year's Mexican Independence Day festivities on Milwaukee's south side. The community is looking for another way to celebrate.
MILWAUKEE - The Mexican Independence Day parade was supposed to step off down Oklahoma Avenue in just a few weeks. Now, organizers have called the whole thing off.
Decades of celebration
The backstory:
The parade has been a Milwaukee staple for 50 years. Now, the community is looking for another way to honor and celebrate Mexican culture and heritage.
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"It's nice because it gives us a piece of home, and what better way to experience that than here," said Leomagna Morales. "We just really enjoyed going to celebrate our Mexican traditions. It really gave us a good taste of it."
Mexican Independence Day festivities (2024)
It's a celebration Morales and her family know as well as anyone. They've attended the Mexican Independence Day parade and festival for 24 years.
"I remember taking my kids to the rides at the festival, and we would all enjoy it," she said.
UMOS pauses festivities
What they're saying:
This year, the beloved celebration will look a lot different. United Migrant Opportunity Service, or UMOS, announced its decision to pause this year's events on Milwaukee's south side.
FOX6 News reached out to UMOS about the decision. The nonprofit organization declined to speak on camera, instead providing a statement that read in part:
"While we navigate a challenging landscape for nonprofits, particularly considering current and anticipated federal funding constraints tied to the broader political climate, pausing this event will allow us to focus short-term resources where our impact on individuals, families, and communities is most needed."
UMOS
FOX6 News also reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment but did not hear back by the deadline for this story.
Looking ahead
What's next:
With the event on hold, folks like Morales said they worry that the pause is due to the political climate around immigration.
"We have just seen lots of this just take a pause due to what's happening politically," she said.
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Morales admitted she's saddened by the decision, but she said she's trying to stay optimistic.
"We can always gather with family and friends at home to continue celebrating this tradition," she said.
UMOS also said it's committed to reimagining future events and continuing to celebrate meaningful gatherings to empower and celebrate its diverse community.
Editor's note: FOX6 News translated quotes from Spanish into English.
Statement from ICE
The other side:
"If you are here legally and have not committed crimes, there is no need to worry, but if that isn’t the case and you are a criminal alien living illegally in the United States, you are violating the law and are subject to arrest and removal. ICE law enforcement activities are not conducted based on racial or ethnic profiling. ICE’s law enforcement actions are consistent with Department of Homeland Security and ICE policies, as well as U.S. immigration law, which prohibit the consideration of race or ethnicity when conducting enforcement actions. ICE relies on intelligence-driven law enforcement operations to locate and apprehend specific aliens at-large.
"Spreading false information only fuels unnecessary fear in our communities. ICE remains committed to public safety and carrying out its work with professionalism and respect."
-Nina Pruneda, Public Affairs Officer/Spokeswoman, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
The Source: FOX6 News conducted interviewed, referenced information provided by UMOS and reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for this report. ICE also sent FOX