Concerns over increased immigration raids have forced organizers to cancel this year’s Guelaguetza festival in Madera, a vibrant celebration of Oaxacan culture that has drawn crowds since 2023.
Comité Guelaguetza Madera, the group behind the event, announced the decision Saturday, citing the growing threat of ICE activity in the area. “In the face of an increasingly hostile political climate and a rise in ICE raids affecting undocumented members of our community, we must prioritize safety and solidarity over celebration,” the group said in a statement.
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The annual October festival typically features traditional Oaxacan music, food, and dances, and welcomes over 1,000 attendees. But fears of arrest — especially among undocumented residents who help organize and perform — prompted the group to cancel this year’s event.
Federal immigration enforcement in California has ramped up in recent weeks, with arrests reported in workplaces and public spaces. Though Southern California has seen the brunt of the action, the Central Valley — including Madera — has not been spared. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office confirmed courthouse immigration arrests this year, and in February, the city’s police chief said ICE was active in Madera “almost daily.”
The festival’s cancellation, while not unexpected, was a difficult decision, said Patsy Mejia, treasurer for the organizing committee. “We’re not going to ask the community to come out and live with that fear of possibly not making it back home,” she said.
The group plans to bring the event back in 2026. In the meantime, they will focus on supporting the local immigrant community with legal aid and monitoring ICE activity.
“This is devastating,” Mejia added. “Our undocumented brothers and sisters are the foundation of our community — the dancers, cooks, organizers, and volunteers who make the Guelaguetza happen.”
Last year’s event attracted participants from across the West Coast, including Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. This year’s absence
