Maxine Waters Honors Hispanic Heritage Month While Condemning Immigration Raids in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA – Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15, is typically a season of celebration across Los Angeles, marked by festivals, cultural showcases, and civic commemorations. This year, however, the observance has been overshadowed by a wave of immigration raids that have prompted condemnation from local leaders, including Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43).
In a statement released from Washington, Waters praised the historic and ongoing contributions of Latinos while sharply criticizing the tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under directives from the Trump administration and U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan. She denounced the raids as warrantless and destabilizing to entire neighborhoods, accusing federal agents of “flooding the zone” in Los Angeles and creating an atmosphere of fear.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time we proudly celebrate the culture, history, and invaluable contributions of Hispanics in Los Angeles and across the United States,” Waters stated. “But this year, our celebrations come amid unfair attacks by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Donald Trump and his administration … have launched a cruel campaign of warrantless immigration raids, terrorizing immigrant neighborhoods.”
Communities in Fear
Waters emphasized the human toll of the raids, noting that immigrant families now face impossible
choices between attending work or school and risking detention. She described the consequences as devastating for working-class households already struggling with high housing and living costs in Los Angeles.
“Families are being forced to choose between going to work and risking deportation or staying home and falling behind on food and rent,” Waters said. “These heartless tactics are ripping apart communities that have called Los Angeles home for decades.”
Her comments reflect broader concerns expressed in community forums, on social media, and by immigrant rights groups across Southern California. Residents have reported increased ICE presence in predominantly Latino neighborhoods, with checkpoints and unannounced door-to-door operations that have sparked fear-driven absences from work, school, and public events.
Celebrations Curtailed
In addition to its cultural impact, the ICE raids have also disrupted Hispanic Heritage Month programming. Local organizers reported that several community events were canceled out of concern that participants could be targeted. In South Los Angeles, a planned street festival featuring mariachi music and food vendors was called off after volunteers expressed unease about large gatherings attracting immigration enforcement attention.
Similarly, an East L.A. art walk celebrating Chicano muralists was postponed, with organizers citing the “tense climate” created by immigration operations. Reports also surfaced of school-based heritage programs seeing sharply reduced attendance, as families worried about increased law enforcement presence near public institutions.
The cancellations highlight the chilling effect of federal enforcement measures on cultural expression, effectively silencing the very communities Hispanic Heritage Month was designed to honor.
Congresswoman Waters’ Call to Action
For Waters, who represents one of the most diverse Hispanic constituencies in the country, the timing of the raids during a nationally recognized month of celebration underscores what she views as the administration’s disregard for Latino communities. She pledged to continue pushing back against immigration policies she describes as “hateful” and inconsistent with American values.
“I condemn these cruel attacks,” she declared. “They dishonor not only our great nation but the very values of equality and justice that Hispanic Heritage Month seeks to uplift. As the representative of one of the most vibrant and diverse Hispanic communities in America, I will continue to fight back, and work to ensure that every community can live with dignity and without fear.”
Ms. Waters, community members echoed Waters’ sentiments, sharing stories of disruption caused by the raids. Posts described empty classrooms in some schools, as parents kept children home, and businesses struggling to staff shifts. Local advocacy groups amplified calls for city officials to provide sanctuary protections and ensure public spaces remain safe for immigrants.
Despite the fear, some cultural events continued, albeit under tightened security and scaled-down formats. In Boyle Heights, organizers of a heritage parade opted to reduce the route and increase community patrols rather than cancel. Smaller neighborhood gatherings were also held, often framed explicitly as acts of resistance and cultural resilience.
Looking Ahead
Congresswoman Waters’ strong stance situates her among several California lawmakers who have criticized federal immigration enforcement strategies. The tension between local leaders and the administration reflects an ongoing national debate over immigration policy, community safety, and cultural recognition.
In Los Angeles, the intersection of Hispanic Heritage Month and federal immigration operations has laid bare the contradictions between celebration and fear. For many, the month has become not only a time of cultural pride but also a reminder of the struggles facing immigrant families.
It has been noted that the legacy of Hispanic contributions to the nation is inseparable from the ongoing fight for dignity and security. This year, that legacy was honored not only through parades and performances but also through resilience in the face of disruption.
Charles Jackson
Thought provoker
#YesOnProp50