Long Beach Cancels Día de Los Muertos Parade Amid Enforcement

(LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA) The City of Long Beach has canceled its 2025 Día de Los Muertos parade and the companion Arte y Ofrendas Festival, citing ongoing federal immigration enforcement operations and community fear as driving factors behind the decision. The announcement, made public on September 14, 2025, halts an event that was scheduled for November 2, 2025, a date that holds deep cultural meaning for many Long Beach families.

City leaders said there was no evidence that federal authorities planned to target the parade, but they acted “out of an abundance of caution” after a recent local raid raised anxiety among residents.

What triggered the cancellation

The move follows a high-profile enforcement action at the Bixby Knolls Car Wash on September 13, 2025, where at least seven people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico were detained by agents wearing Border Patrol vests. That operation, confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security, sent a chill through neighborhoods with large immigrant populations.

Officials said the city’s decision reflects not only safety concerns but also the reality that many would simply stay home rather than risk public exposure amid stepped-up immigration enforcement. Mayor Rex Richardson condemned the raids as “cruel, discriminatory, and unacceptable,” adding that “ICE has NO PLACE in our city.” He pledged support for affected residents and business owners and said the city would continue to press for clear limits on immigration enforcement near community spaces.

Councilwoman Mary Zendejas of the First District said leaders listened to “genuine fears raised by community members,” especially undocumented and mixed‑status families who felt vulnerable. While officials stressed that no parade‑specific operation was identified, they said the climate was too tense to hold a large public gathering without risking harm.

“The climate was too tense to hold a large public gathering without risking harm.” — City officials

City reasoning and context

Long Beach’s call stands out in a region where other Southern California cities went forward with Mexican Independence Day and similar events. Officials said the local enforcement activity changed the risk calculus.

For many families, Día de Los Muertos is not just a festival; it is a space to honor loved ones who have died and to celebrate heritage. When federal actions spread fear:

• Attendance drops
• Vendors pull out
• Volunteers face hard choices

City hall concluded that pressing ahead would likely exclude the very people the event is meant to serve.

Policy stance and resources

City leaders also pointed to their broader policy stance. Long Beach promotes “Values Act” policies and distributes plain‑language resources explaining rights during immigration encounters. Officials updated staff guidance for interactions if law enforcement or federal immigration officers appear at city facilities.

The goal is to keep services open to all residents while reducing the chance of sudden or indiscriminate actions that could harm trust. The city’s updated protocols and official statements are available through the Office of the City Manager at longbeach.gov, where residents can find contact points for help.

Budget and plans for 2026

Budget plans for the festival were revised. Unspent funds from 2025 will be combined with the next cycle, with $100,000 now set aside for a return in 2026.

City officials emphasized that the event is paused, not ended, and that they intend to bring it back when the enforcement climate allows people to participate without fear.

Protocols, resources, and staff guidance

In the wake of the Bixby Knolls arrests, the city circulated updated staff instructions for encounters with immigration authorities at public sites. Staff are told to follow clear steps:

1. Verify any warrant before allowing entry beyond public areas.
2. Notify supervisors immediately and document requests and actions.
3. Provide support to affected individuals, including information about legal services and the right to remain silent.
4. Direct agents to appropriate contacts if additional access is requested.

These rules aim to protect residents’ rights while keeping city operations orderly and reflect lessons from recent years as local governments develop procedures for managing interactions with federal agencies.

Community and economic impacts

Community organizations say the cancellation will hit small businesses, artists, and cultural groups that rely on Día de Los Muertos sales and exposure. Street vendors and local artisans often plan months in advance, so losing a major date on the cultural calendar can mean lost income and momentum.

Still, group leaders said the safety of mixed‑status families must come first. Many urged the city to fund smaller, decentralized activities hosted by trusted community partners until the parade returns.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, cities often weigh event security and expected attendance when immigration enforcement ramps up. Even without direct targeting, fear alone can suppress turnout and shift how families move through public space. Organizers face tough choices:

• Cancel and preserve trust, or
• Proceed and risk empty streets and tense encounters that might retraumatize attendees.

Regional outlook and next steps

The broader picture across Southern California remains mixed. Some cities reported normal or near‑normal participation for recent fiestas, while others saw softer crowds. Advocates say the uneven pattern reflects:

• Differences in local enforcement visibility
• Community trust in city hall
• How quickly leaders communicate safety plans

Long Beach’s choice aligns with jurisdictions that prioritize caution after visible raids.

While the parade will not take place this year, the city encourages residents to seek information and help through official channels. The Office of the City Manager‘s page at longbeach.gov includes statements on the cancellation, contacts for community programs, and guidance related to immigration enforcement. Residents can also find Long Beach Values Act materials that explain rights during immigration encounters with officers and list legal aid providers.

Officials say these resources are designed to be easy to use, with step‑by‑step explanations and phone numbers for follow‑up.

Looking toward 2026

Long Beach plans to reassess conditions ahead of the 2026 celebration. The review will factor in:

• The pace of immigration enforcement
• Feedback from community groups
• The city’s capacity to provide visible support at large gatherings

City leaders said they would engage with cultural organizers early to rebuild vendor networks and volunteer teams and to shape programming that welcomes families back.

For now, the message from city hall is clear: people’s safety comes first, even when the cost is a painful pause in tradition. Long Beach’s decision illustrates how immigration enforcement can ripple through daily life—reshaping calendars, thinning crowds, and forcing local governments to make hard calls under pressure.

Whether the parade’s return in 2026 feels like a full restoration will depend on whether families feel safe enough to show up, grieve, and celebrate together in the open.