Celebrations started Saturday night in downtown Chicago and continue Sunday with parades in advance of Mexican Independence Day, Sept. 16, 2025. This year’s celebrations come in the midst of increased immigration enforcement, “Operation Midway Blitz.”
People celebrating Mexican Independence Day confront Chicago Police while they stop a vehicle with a Mexican flag near Michigan Avenue as people and vehicles gather while celebrating Mexican Independence Day Saturday Sept. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A person removes a Mexican flag from their vehicle, Sept. 13, 2025, after being stopped by Chicago police as people and vehicles gather while celebrating Mexican Independence Day. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Police stop a vehicle with a Mexican flag near Michigan Avenue as people and vehicles gather while celebrating Mexican Independence Day Saturday Sept. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Police ask 20-year-old Noel to remove the wooden rod attached to his Mexican flag near Michigan Avenue as people and vehicles gather while celebrating Mexican Independence Day Saturday Sept. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Police superintendent Larry Snelling walks near Michigan Avenue while officers stop vehicles with Mexican flags mounted on wooden poles in vehicles as people gather while celebrating Mexican Independence Day Saturday Sept. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
