Imagine if visiting your loved one’s grave could result in your family being torn apart. For many Houstonians this Día de los Muertos, that fear isn’t imaginary -- it’s a reality.
This tension was recently captured in a post on Houston’s Reddit community. The original poster, also known as OP in Reddit terms, asked if anyone else felt safe celebrating the Día de los Muertos this year. The OP “can’t help but think about ICE posting up and harassing/kidnapping people at those events like they have been all over the country”.
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Latinos in Houston! Do you feel safe going to Dia de los Muertos festivities throughout the city?
by u/VenezuelanGayPothead in houston
Across the country, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been very visible on social media. Videos show ICE agents performing arrests and immigration enforcement. Especially in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles where federal troops were deployed to assist in these initiatives.
Some U.S. cities are going as far as canceling their annual Día de los Muertos parades over ICE raid fears. It’s happening in Long Beach, California, Berkeley, California, and Decatur, AL.
When Chicago’s Governor JB Pritzker asked Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem to halt operations during the holiday weekend (Halloween and Día de los Muertos), Noem replied, “No, we’re absolutely not willing to put a pause on any work that we will do to keep communities safe.”
One of Houston’s surrounding cities had an encounter with ICE recently.
An ICE operation in Pasadena drew crowds Monday after 28-year-old Oscar Daniel Barrón-Hernandez fled from officers to his home, according to ICE. Two passengers—his brother-in-law and co-worker—barricaded themselves inside with Barrón-Hernandez’s wife and four children (ages 6 months to 12 years).
While protesters gathered outside, agents eventually convinced the men to surrender. ICE reported Barrón-Hernandez had been deported three times previously—actions classified as felonies. His wife says Barrón-Hernandez lived in the U.S. for years and has not committed any crimes.
The OP isn’t the only one concerned about ICE showing up to one of the many Día de los Muertos celebrations in the Houston area.
Another Reddit user commented, “I hate to say it but if you are in these targeted groups, I’d question going out to celebrate without having a QUICK and easy way to prove your citizenship.... Take every precaution to protect yourself.”
And another user shared, “My family and I are pondering whether to join in or host our own celebration somewhere else.”
The OP is a naturalized U.S. citizen who has called Houston home for decades. They describe a daily routine of checking on family members, ensuring they carry passports, and tracking ICE agents’ sightings throughout the city.
Día de los Muertos is traditionally celebrated on November 1-2, and it’s meant to be a time when families gather to honor and remember their deceased loved ones.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Will you be attending any Día de los Muertos celebrations this year? If not, tell us what is influencing your decision.