Over the years we’ve argued that the Spanish-language media, in addition to advocating for unrestricted immigration, profess an editorial line that is often deferential to the promotion of Mexico and Mexican interests. One story out of Chicago blends both of these corporate interests.
Watch as Univision mourns the cancellation of Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day celebrations over potential ICE raids and National Guard deployment:
ILIA CALDERÓN: Good evening. We begin the newscast in Chicago, where it was announced today that Mexican independence celebrations have been postponed due to the possibility of immigration enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard. This festival usually draws nearly 25,000 people to Grant Park. Viviana Avila is in Chicago with the details of this announcement. Viviana.
VIVIANA AVILA: That's right, Ilia. The organizers of this iconic two-day event in downtown Chicago- they said they made this decision with great regret, with a broken heart, but they did it for the well-being and safety of community members.
This was Univision’s top story on September 4th, when this aired. Think about where we are, that the top story of a national newscast is the postponement of the celebration of another country’s independence on American soil due to immigration enforcement operations.
Emphasis on Mexican Independence Day keeps the community looking backward, and never forward to the fullness of the American experience. In fact, both Univision and Telemundo are set to air the Mexican Shout (Grito), which consists of the Mexican president ringing the bell at the presidential palace in front of a packed Zocalo Square and shouting “Viva Mexico” on multiple occasions.
Our long-held thesis about Spanish-language TV depending on a constant migrant flow in order to survive is proven yet again, as is the idea that Latino identity is little more than a political construct intended to keep individuals forever separate and alien from the American mainstream.
Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned story as aired on Noticiero Univision on Thursday, September 4th, 2025:
NOTICIERO UNIVISION
9/4/25
6:31 PM
ILIA CALDERÓN: Good evening. We begin the newscast in Chicago, where it was announced today that Mexican independence celebrations have been postponed due to the possibility of immigration enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard. This festival usually draws nearly 25,000 people to Grant Park. Viviana Avila is in Chicago with the details of this announcement. Viviana.
VIVIANA AVILA: That's right, Ilia. The organizers of this iconic two-day event in downtown Chicago- they said they made this decision with great regret, with a broken heart, but they did it for the well-being and safety of community members. Those who purchased tickets will also receive a refund. Here's the report.
In Chicago, the downtown Independence Day celebration was postponed due to the possibility of immigration enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard. "It has been a painful decision, but holding the Cry in Chicago at this time would jeopardize the safety of our community," they said.a statement, which generated reactions from some state leaders.
KARINA VILLA: Everyone has the right to decide what to do with their celebrations. I believe they are better suited to make those decisions.
AVILA: However, other Mexican independence celebrations will continue for now, such as this Saturday's parade in Pilsen.
TERESA FRAGA: We haven't re-evaluated in terms of canceling, but we are aware and informed of the news—of the remarks from the governor, the mayor, etc.
ÁVILA: Today, the governor of Illinois reiterated that federal agents will be in the state to conduct immigration enforcement operations and that their center of operations will be the Great Lakes Naval Base.
J.B. PRITZKER: We believe that they are going to be fully assembled…
AVILA: We believe they will be ready by tomorrow and could begin operations early Saturday. Meanwhile, the ICE processing center in Broadview, Illinois, has doors and windows sealed with wood in anticipation of protests. A letter to the mayor of Broadview states that this will be the main center of operations for the next 45 days. It is still unknown whether or not the National Guard will be deployed to Chicago, although opposition to its deployment is growing.
LUIS GUTIERREZ: He is sending them to provoke us to violence, to provoke us to resistance.
CALDERON: Now, Viviana, both the governor of Illinois and the mayor of Chicago have said they oppose deploying the National Guard. What's expected in the coming days? What steps do you plan to take?
AVILA: Well, first, Governor J.B. Pritzker has said that if there is a deployment of the National Guard in the city of Chicago, what they would do, the first line of defense, would be to go to court and file a lawsuit against the federal government. However, Ilia, other actions are expected tomorrow. A protest in front of this detention center in Broadview, Illinois, and there is also a rosary in front of that naval base where these federal agents will gather to carry out those potential immigration operations. I'll be back with you.
CALDERÓN: Keeping a close eye on what's happening in Chicago. Thanks, Viviana.
