GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Organizers of the long-running Salvadoran Independence Day Festival in Gaithersburg have canceled the 2025 event, citing growing concerns about immigration enforcement operations potentially targeting attendees.
The decision ends what would have been the festival’s 20th year celebrating El Salvador’s independence in Montgomery County. According to NBC Washington, community leaders feared that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could use the gathering to carry out deportation actions, placing the immigrant population at risk.
The move follows reports of increased immigration enforcement across Maryland, with organizers of the Megamart Cup, a major regional soccer tournament, also opting to “take a pause” for similar reasons.
CASA of Maryland, a nonprofit organization that advocates for immigrant rights, has expressed concern about collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement. Activists have pointed to reports of recent enforcement actions and fear that such cooperation may lead to targeted detentions during public events.
“ICE agents are clashing with residents, putting local police in the middle,” a statement from Help Save Maryland noted in response to reports of immigration activity in Montgomery County.
Event cancellations reflect broader climate
The Salvadoran festival, typically held in September, draws large crowds and serves as a cultural focal point for Central American residents in the region. Its cancellation comes amid a broader debate over local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement and the designation of many Maryland jurisdictions as sanctuary areas.
Community members have organized protests in cities like Baltimore, opposing ICE presence and calling for protections for undocumented residents. Organizers of the canceled festival did not confirm whether the decision was made in coordination with local authorities or based solely on perceived risk.
Montgomery County remains a designated sanctuary jurisdiction and has previously limited cooperation with ICE detainers. However, tensions have increased as federal enforcement reportedly ramps up across the state.