# Passaic parade postponed over ICE fears

> A beloved Mexican parade is on hold as immigration fears ripple through Passaic businesses and families.
- Title: Passaic parade postponed over ICE fears · ABC7 New York
- Summary: A beloved Mexican parade is on hold as immigration fears ripple through Passaic businesses and families. Immigration enforcement fears can change public life…
- Keywords: passaic, new jersey, mexican day parade, deportation fears, ice, immigration enforcement, hector lora, leticia ortega, la fortaleza, mexican community, news, local
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/post/passaics-annual-mexican-day-parade-postponed-amid-deportation-fears/19837430
- Published: 2026-09-16T03:34:55+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: passaic, new jersey, mexican day parade, deportation fears, ice, immigration enforcement, hector lora, leticia ortega, la fortaleza, mexican community, news, local
## Parade put on hold
Passaic organizers indefinitely postponed the annual Mexican Day Parade, saying attendees could face immigration enforcement. The Sept. 27 event will not happen as planned.

> Organizers of Passaic's annual Mexican Parade have indefinitely postponed this year's event
## A major tradition
The parade has run for more than 30 years in the New Jersey city with the state’s highest concentration of Mexicans. It usually draws about 15,000 people.

> Passaic has the highest concentration of Mexicans in New Jersey.
## Businesses feel it
Restaurant owner Leticia Ortega says La Fortaleza is already quieter, and she has cut staff in half. Losing parade crowds means another missed boost.

> Every night is pretty, pretty empty already.
## Mayor wants another way
Mayor Hector Lora said he was disappointed and hopes Mexican community leaders still organize a festival or activity to celebrate the community.

> I'm still hoping that leaders within the Mexican community come together and do something
## Fear changed the math
One restaurant owner said he wanted the festival to happen, but understood the choice. He said people are seeing a lot of ICE in Passaic.

> the organizer of the festival made the right decision because you're seeing a lot of ICE in Passaic
## No new date yet
A recent Mexican rodeo took place without arrests, but organizers fear a larger parade could draw more attention. No replacement date has been announced.

> Organizers have not announced a new date for the parade.
## Key takeaway

Immigration enforcement fears can change public life far beyond legal cases, hitting cultural traditions, local shops and family security.