Hispanic Heritage Month festival in Wheaton cancelled after fear of immigration enforcement

WHEATON, Md. (DC News Now) — Some Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations have been canceled out of fear of heightened immigration enforcement.

Montgomery County cancelled its big celebration in Wheaton, Md., which was scheduled for October. The festival was supposed to take place at Marian Fryer Town Plaza.

Organizers say intense fear among the Latino and Hispanic community is causing many of them to choose to stay home.

“It’s kind of sad because, you know, Latino, especially here in the area, are a huge part of the economy and our community,” says Wheaton Nicaraguan restaurant owner Pedro Matamoros. “It’s sad to see that we had to cancel our festival, out of many for fear, basically.”

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said sponsors did not want to go through with the festival. 

“People are self-selecting when they go out and when they expose themselves,” said Elrich. “It’s sad to see people doing that. Individuals have to decide what they think the risk is and how vulnerable they feel.”

The increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids is causing many Latino families to think twice about attending these events. 

One man from Mexico told DC News Now his community warns others about ICE. 

“I warned them,” said the man. “We also have a page that warns our community. We have text messages… not to go to certain places.”

Montgomery County says the Latino population has increased by more than 31% in the county since 2010, making Hispanics and Latinos more than 20 percent of the county‘s total population.

The county is instead encouraging the community to come together for alternative events, including at some schools, which are eligible for $2,000 grants for smaller celebrations.

“I think that’s a good idea for now,” said Matamoros. “Until things get better.”

The county is also hosting a social media campaign from now until Oct. 15, recognizing several county employees of Hispanic heritage.