Hispanic Heritage Festival in Valhalla draws small crowds amid immigration enforcement fears

Because of the growing concerns within the Hispanic population, a number of advocacy agencies were at the event to provide immigrants with the help and social services they may need.

Carol Wilkinson

Jul 14, 2025, 1:19 AM

Updated 9 hr ago

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Some observers said this year's Hispanic Heritage Festival in Valhalla, known as the largest Hispanic event in Westchester County, drew less people on Sunday amid fears of immigration enforcement.
Vendor Rodolfo Mendez said he noticed that businesses at this year's event were impacted.
"They are afraid to come out because of what's happening with ICE...So that's why it's so empty this time," Mendez said. "Last year, it was much more packed. There was more people selling. So they are afraid to come out."
Although there were concerns about raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump Administration's deportation policies, many still attended the event held at Kensico Dam Plaza.
Because of the growing concerns within the Hispanic population, a number of advocacy agencies were at the event to provide immigrants with the help and social services they may need.
"A lot of the clients are not coming out because of the fear," said Silvia Falcon, of the Westchester-based Community Resource Center. "We do offer services through ZOOM. That's something that is useful for the community in case they don't want to go to the center."
White Plains-based Legal Services of the Hudson Valley was also present to offer free, civil legal services from attorneys and legal professionals. It was there with the promise to protect the rights and guarantee equal justice for community members who need help.
"Right now, we're seeing people that are scared. They're not looking for services, they're not calling police, they're not doing any of that stuff," said senior paralegal Luz Ledesma.