Hispanic Heritage Month in a Time of Fear and Resilience

Photo Credit: Liz Mascio

Every September 15^th through October 15^th, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in the U.S.  

This year, that celebration comes under a shadow: a spike in ICE raids and immigration enforcement that is undermining trust and spreading fear for millions of people. This is a moment of cultural pride, but also a moment of anxiety.  

The official argument from DHS and ICE is that these operations are meant to root out “criminals,” but that label has been used so loosely that families and even entire neighborhoods are being traumatized.  

Community events, festivals, and parades are already being canceled. People are afraid to leave home, go to work, or celebrate publicly, even when they’re documented residents or even citizens.  

What does “celebrating heritage” mean if parts of your identity or culture make you a target? When your community’s cultural and economic contributions are celebrated one day and criminalized the next?

What Can We Do?

As a firm working in immigration law, or as people who care about justice, there are some things we can push for. It’s important to know (and share) your rights. We can support local organizations and continue to celebrate Hispanic culture, regardless of the current political climate.

These ICE raids are escalating, and they’re not a normal example of “law and order.” They’re a political tool for control, and division. The Trump Administration’s strategy is to define immigrant neighbors as “other,” create fear, and then use that fear to undermine local and democratic control.  

Hispanic Heritage is more than just a month of music, food, and art (although those are important). It’s a reminder of how much Hispanic culture has always contributed to the U.S. Now more than ever, we must remember those contributions.  

At McEntee Law Group, we’re committed to supporting heritage and human beings.  

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