Long Island Latinos cancel cancer patients fundraiser, other events over fears of ICE raids

Amid fears of ICE raids, two annual events run by Latino groups, including one that raises funds for cancer patients, are being canceled, organizers said on Wednesday.

The other event features the classic Salvadoran dish "pupusa" and attracts several thousand people a year.

Advocates say the cancellations reflect a growing fear among Latino immigrants of going out to doctor’s appointments, food shopping or sending their kids to school.

The Committee of Latin American Ladies said they were canceling their eighth annual cancer patient fundraiser largely due to the environment created by the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

Detentions have escalated since Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, said in late May the government wanted to increase arrests from about 600 a day to more than 3,000 daily. President Donald Trump says the government is deporting dangerous criminals but advocates contend most people being arrested are workers with no criminal records whose only offense is being in the country illegally.

Nitza Franco, vice president of the ladies group, said many of the immigrants who attend the cancer fundraiser were here legally, but fear has gripped the community in general.

"There’s a lot of concerns out there right now and folks are scared to be out in public because of everything that is going on," she said. "Due to the fear and the safety we did decide that we would cancel this event."

The group’s eighth annual fundraiser was scheduled for July 12 at a member’s house in Central Islip. Volunteers typically prepare about 150 steak dinners, and more than 100 pupusas, a Salvadoran cornbread typically stuffed with meat or cheese.

They have raised about $60,000 and helped 15 families with medical expenses, food and other items, Franco said. Each year they present two recipients with a check at the event.

"Obviously it’s sad for us," she said, referring to the cancellation. "Usually it’s a great event. We cook food all day. We celebrate."

The Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce also announced it was canceling its annual "Salvadoran American Day Pupusa Fest," scheduled for Aug. 10.

The event, to be held in Plainview at the new Salvadoran consulate, involves eating large quantities of pupusas, music and other activities.

"It is a sad day for Salvadoran culture," one of the group’s leaders posted on Facebook. "This was not a decision we made lightly, and we share in the disappointment this news may bring."

"Please know that this decision was made with everyone’s best interest in mind," the post said. "Safety is our top priority."

Reached by telephone, group leaders declined to comment further.

Melanie Creps, executive director of the Central American Refugee Center in Hempstead, said she was not surprised events in the Latino community are getting canceled since there is a sense of "low panic."

"There’s a drop in attendance at schools, people aren’t showing up for doctor’s appointments," she said.