Day of the Dead celebrations return amidst ongoing immigration concerns

Last year, Henderson’s celebration was abruptly canceled following concerns that ICE might target undocumented immigrants. “The political climate around immigration was so difficult and controversial that we got a clear message from folks in the Latino community here” that “they would not come,” explained Brad Schneider, judge/executive of Henderson county and co-founder of the event.

This year, however, community leaders re-engaged with local residents, and the overwhelming response was a desire to reinstate the celebration. Similar shifts are occurring nationwide; Long Beach, California, is also holding its festival after last year’s cancellation, while Worcester, Massachusetts, is hosting a public gathering after opting for smaller, private events in 2025.

Día de los Muertos, a tradition dating back thousands of years to Aztec beliefs about the cyclical nature of life and death, is a time when families honor deceased loved ones by building altars and welcoming their spirits. Celebrations typically draw millions in Mexico and tens of thousands in cities like Los Angeles and San Antonio.

Schneider, who moved to Henderson nearly 40 years ago and has witnessed the growth of the Latino population to approximately 5% of the local community, initiated the celebration in 2019 after being inspired by a scene in the film *Spectre*. The event has historically featured mariachi bands, traditional food, and face-painting.

Despite the renewed enthusiasm, anxieties surrounding ICE remain. While the agency has seemingly avoided the intense scrutiny it faced in late 2025 and early 2026 in Minneapolis, data indicates an increase in monthly arrests and detentions in June and July. ICE’s recent acquisition of $51 million in office space and plans for a 1,500-person detention center in San Antonio underscore its continued expansion.

In San Antonio, retailer Planet K canceled its 20-year-old Día de los Muertos celebration, citing “ICE terrorism” as the reason. City council member Marina Alderete Gavito expressed sadness over the loss of traditions like the event’s fireworks show.

Similar cancellations occurred in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Fresno, California. ICE declined to comment on whether its officers would be present at Day of the Dead celebrations.

In Henderson, the impact of ICE activity is deeply personal for residents like Julia, a college student whose family has long participated in the celebrations. Her family’s church and a relative were recently affected by ICE arrests. “He was the one that brought in the money, so it was a very difficult situation for them,” she said, using a pseudonym for protection. While her mother has obtained permanent residency, her father’s application is still pending. Despite the challenges, Julia and her family plan to attend and contribute to the celebration this Saturday. “It’s not easy to exist and to still bring joy in dark times, and we thought it was really important to do so,” said Raquel Castro, organizer of the Worcester celebration.