Holiday parade in California’s wealthy ‘American Riviera’ city canceled over ICE raid fears
In Santa Barbara’s affluent “American Riviera” community, a holiday parade that has happened for decades was pulled from the calendar this year because organizers feared that ICE could target participants during the event.
The long‑running Milpas Street Holiday Parade, which was scheduled for December 13, was cancelled after dancers, bands, and volunteers expressed concerns that President Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown might lead to an ICE raid. “Although ICE raids may no longer dominate daily headlines, the threat to our Latino families, documented or undocumented, remains very real,” the Santa Barbara Eastside Society wrote in a statement after weeks of discussion.
The parade has been a staple of the local Hispanic culture for 70 years, featuring food, music, and performances that celebrate the community’s heritage, as noted by the Los Angeles Times. Yet many longtime participants say the sense of vulnerability caused by possible raids makes it feel unsafe to gather in large public crowds.
The fear over ICE operations has also led to the cancellation of other celebrations in Santa Barbara, including this year’s Dia De Los Muertos parade last November, and portions of the Old Spanish Days Fiesta last summer, according to KTLA.
Despite the halt this winter, the Eastside Society says the parade is only on pause and intends to hold it again in 2026. “Our priority is, and has always been, the wellbeing, dignity, and safety of our community,” the group reiterated.
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