Charlotte Hispanic Heritage Festival Canceled Over Deportation Concerns

The Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas, traditionally held at Truist Field in Charlotte and attracting over 10,000 attendees, has been canceled for 2025 due to concerns about immigration enforcement and deportation risks. Organizers, led by co-founder Rick Herrera, decided that gathering a large Latino community amid the current political climate could expose attendees to potential targeting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has recently conducted several raids in the Greater Charlotte area. Herrera emphasized the importance of community safety, stating the festival would not be a true celebration if attendees were worried about possible arrests. Despite the cancellation, other Hispanic cultural events in Charlotte plan to proceed as scheduled, and the Hispanic Heritage Festival organizers hope to resume the event in 2026. This cancellation reflects broader concerns within Hispanic communities about ICE operations in public spaces, affecting cultural celebrations beyond Charlotte as well. Organizers remain committed to preserving cultural pride and community unity while prioritizing safety amid ongoing immigration enforcement actions.