In communities across the United States, Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing, running from September 15 to October 15, 2025. This annual observance, which began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, is meant to celebrate the rich contributions of Latinos to the nation’s culture, economy, and history. But this year, the mood is complicated by a climate of fear and heightened caution, as recent federal changes and ongoing immigration crackdowns have left many Latino families on edge, according to reporting from The Spokesman-Review and local Nebraska news outlets.
For Abby Palacios, a business owner and master esthetician in Spokane, Washington, the tension is palpable. "I’m proudly Brown," Palacios declared, reflecting on the pride and anxiety she feels as she walks into a room during these uncertain times. Despite the challenges, Palacios is determined to celebrate her heritage and support her community. Her business, Chicana Esthetics, has become a refuge and resource for many local Latinos, about 90% of whom make up her clientele.
Palacios said the fear among her clients is real and persistent, as many worry about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests. She’s responded by placing "Know Your Rights" cards and information on Latino-led organizations in her waiting area, offering support and guidance to those who might find themselves in difficult situations. "I’ve had some clients say, ‘I’m not going to be able to make it to your event because I’m too afraid of this,’ or, ‘I am not going to be able to come in as often because of this.’ That makes me so uncomfortable to know that we have to be in fear about going places," Palacios told The Spokesman-Review.
Her efforts extend beyond her clinic walls. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Palacios is offering discounts to clients who bring in coats or warm clothing, which will be donated to the Nuestras Raices Community Center. It’s a small gesture, but one that speaks to the communal ethos running through many of this year’s observances. "I’m just kind of finding ways to continuously support the community," she explained. "I think that it’s huge to walk into those spaces and try to find ways to help and support, whether it’s to donate, whether it’s to share resources, volunteer, protest, whatever you’re able to do, do that because it’s doing something."
The larger context is one of adaptation and resilience. Several organizations have had to rethink their plans for Hispanic Heritage Month. Nuestras Raices, a Spokane-based nonprofit, canceled its annual Tacos y Tequila Festival—an event that typically draws about 7,000 attendees each day—due to concerns over immigration enforcement and community safety. Jennifer Vigil, president of the board of directors for Nuestras Raices, emphasized that the organization’s mission to honor Latinos in Spokane remains undiminished. "We’ve had to be a little more cautious and a lot more strategic in our planning, but something that has been entirely wonderful is the way that our community has stepped up to support us and stand in solidarity with us," Vigil said.
Instead of the large festival, Nuestras Raices held a fundraiser at No-Li Brewhouse in August and is planning a special celebration for October 25. Local businesses like Flatstick Pub have also pitched in, offering to help fundraise through their games, with the details still being finalized. Vigil described the spirit of these gatherings: "We are a culture that embraces those around us. There’s always food, family and music and everything that we do, and you will see those things present in any event that we have."
Other organizations are also shifting their approach. Latinos en Spokane, for example, is focusing on smaller, community-led events to foster a safer and more welcoming environment. On September 27, the group will host Mexican and Central America Independence Day celebrations at El Mercadito, a Latino farmers market in Liberty Lake. The festivities will feature food and music honoring Latino cultures from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Denise Hernandez, the organization’s communication and marketing manager, explained the reasoning: "They’re going to be more community led, and just a more welcoming environment where people can feel safer."
Hernandez acknowledged that while the events are smaller in scale, their significance remains undiminished. "Just keep fighting; put your heads up. Spokane is full of a lot of organizations that are trying to keep our community uplifted, so the only thing that we can say right now is, just be careful and know your rights," she told The Spokesman-Review.
The atmosphere of caution is not limited to Washington State. In Nebraska, similar concerns are surfacing. Maria Arriaga, executive director at the Nebraska Commission on Latino Americans, noted that recent federal changes have left many families living in fear. As reported by local outlets, these anxieties are shaping the ways in which Latino communities celebrate and support one another during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond.
Yet, even in the face of these challenges, the spirit of celebration and solidarity endures. Across the country, community members are finding creative ways to honor their heritage, support one another, and adapt to evolving circumstances. From fundraisers and clothing drives to smaller, safer gatherings, the month’s events are a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Latino culture in America.
It’s worth remembering that Hispanic Heritage Month is not just a time for reflection, but also for action—whether that means standing up for one’s rights, supporting local organizations, or simply sharing a meal and music with family and friends. As Palacios put it, "We have to be the voice for those who don’t have one at the moment."
Meanwhile, in Nebraska, the Capital Humane Society is hosting Pooches on the Patio on September 28 at Momo’s Pizzeria & Restorante, with all proceeds going to support animal welfare. While not directly tied to Hispanic Heritage Month, the event is another example of community-driven initiatives taking place during this busy season.
In rural Johnson County, Nebraska, a mining program is marking a major milestone as part of a larger effort to harvest critical underground resources from one of the only mines of its kind on the continent. This achievement, reported on September 18, 2025, highlights the diverse range of community and economic activities taking place alongside the cultural celebrations and challenges facing Latino communities.
Other local news includes a dramatic Night Beat segment: a Crete woman allegedly used an ICE threat to protect her son; a Lincoln semi fire was caught on video; and Bud Crawford’s ringside doctor was featured—all reminders of the everyday stories unfolding across the region.
As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, the message from community leaders and organizers is clear: despite fear and uncertainty, there is pride, unity, and an unwavering commitment to celebrate and support one another. Whether through small acts of kindness or large-scale events, Latino Americans are making their voices heard and their presence felt—now, perhaps, more than ever.
