Across the United States, Hispanic Heritage Month is typically a time of vibrant parades, lively music, and shared stories—celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the nation’s fastest-growing minority group. Yet, in 2025, the mood is more complicated than in years past. While some communities find creative ways to honor their roots and inspire younger generations, others face cancellations, heightened anxiety, and shifting celebrations into private spaces, all against a backdrop of political tension and renewed immigration crackdowns.
In Louisville, Kentucky, the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month is alive in the halls of Indian Trail Elementary, where two high school seniors, Aylin Munoz and Ramon Miranda, are making a difference one classroom at a time. Munoz and Miranda, both students at Fairdale High School, know firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new country. They arrived from Mexico as children, struggling to find their place in unfamiliar American classrooms. "I came with my older siblings, who did not know English, so all we spoke at home was Spanish. When I came to school, I felt really different from others," Miranda told local reporters. Munoz echoed the sentiment: "Yeah, I grew up in Mexico but came here in second grade. There were times that I also felt very different and left out."
Rather than let those feelings define them, the friends channeled their experiences into a creative project: a children’s book titled Ximena’s First Day of School. The story follows a first-generation Mexican American student who, despite feeling isolated, ultimately finds a teacher she can relate to—a turning point that Munoz and Miranda say mirrors their own journeys. "It’s about a student’s first day who is a first-gen Mexican American, and about her hardships being different from others and feeling isolated. At the end of the story, she finds a teacher she can see herself in," Miranda explained.
Their book is now being read to elementary students at Indian Trail Elementary, where more than 37% of the student body identifies as Hispanic, according to a Niche.com survey. Third-grade teacher Heather Hammiel sees the impact firsthand. "We do the best that we can here to make them feel welcome, but to have other people coming into the classroom to show them how important it is that they are represented, and making those connections, we love seeing that," Hammiel said. The school bolsters this sense of inclusion with regular Spanish lessons, cultural assemblies, and Spanish literature, ensuring that students of all backgrounds feel seen and celebrated.
Principal Uriah Tolbert described how the ripple effect of these efforts reaches beyond the classroom. "It’s funny because, when [the students] go home, their parents [reach out] saying, ‘My child is talking about Spanish class today. We had not had that in our home, but now that that is offered, my child is excited about being able to speak another language,’ so it’s a great family engagement piece too," Tolbert shared. The book, available in both Spanish and English in the school library, is just one example of how representation and storytelling can help bridge divides and foster empathy.
Elsewhere, however, the landscape for Hispanic Heritage Month looks markedly different. According to the Associated Press, this year has seen a wave of cancellations and postponements of public celebrations across the country—from Massachusetts and North Carolina to California and Washington state. The reasons are sobering: the Trump administration’s stepped-up immigration crackdowns, a federally led English-only initiative, and a broader push against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have all contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty and, at times, fear.
Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, has its roots in a 1968 law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, initially as a weeklong observance. Two decades later, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a full month. The timing is significant, beginning with the anniversary of Mexico’s "El Grito de Dolores"—the 1810 call for independence from Spain—and coinciding with independence days for several Central and South American countries.
But this year, the usual festivities—parades, mariachi bands, folklórico and salsa dance lessons, and food fairs—have been overshadowed by political developments. Organizers in Chicago, for example, postponed the city’s popular Mexican Independence festival, citing fears of immigration raids and safety concerns. "It was a painful decision, but holding El Grito Chicago at this time puts the safety of our community at stake—and that’s a risk we are unwilling to take," organizers said, as reported by USA Today. Similar cancellations have occurred in Sacramento, the Carolinas, Kenner, Louisiana, and Indianapolis.
Some local leaders have expressed outrage at the timing of federal actions. "The fact that the federal government is sending troops as we start these celebrations is an insult," Illinois state Sen. Karina Villa said at a news conference. "It is a fear tactic. It’s unforgivable." Others have called for resilience and peaceful protest. "We will not allow others to use our fear or our anger against us," said Berto Aguayo of the Chicago Latino Caucus Association. "We will not take the bait. We will know our rights. We will protect each other and peacefully protest."
With public gatherings under threat, some celebrations have moved into private homes or local consulates. In Mexico, officials have urged migrants in the U.S. to be especially cautious during the holidays to avoid any incidents that could lead to deportation. President Claudia Sheinbaum encouraged families to gather at consulates, while Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary assured that more staff would be on duty to respond to emergencies.
For many, the shifting landscape is a reminder of the diversity within the Hispanic and Latino communities themselves. The term "Hispanic"—originally coined by the federal government—can carry political connotations and is sometimes used interchangeably with "Latino," "Latinx," or even more specific identifiers like "Chicano," "Colombian American," or "Salvadoran American." Each group brings its own traditions, music, food, and art to the table, making the month not just a celebration of heritage but also of individuality and resilience.
Nowhere is this spirit more evident than in the viral story of Isaac Rodriguez, a 9-year-old from San Bernardino, California. A video of Isaac rehearsing folklorico, the traditional Mexican folk dance, has racked up over 2 million views on social media since September 16, 2025. Isaac, a fourth grader at Bonnie Oehl Elementary School, has been dancing for three years. He receives one-on-one lessons from his teacher, Lizbeth Soria, as he prepares for a performance in Las Vegas. Dressed in full charro attire and a sombrero, Isaac beams with pride. "For me when he wears the outfits, it represents his ancestors and grandparents that came from Mexico as immigrants and made a life here," his mother, Avida Gonzalez, said. Despite his newfound fame, she keeps a watchful eye on online comments to protect her son.
As Hispanic Heritage Month unfolds in 2025, the stories of Munoz, Miranda, and Isaac Rodriguez serve as poignant reminders that culture endures—even in the face of adversity. Whether through the pages of a children’s book or the steps of a folk dance, the celebration of heritage continues, finding new ways to thrive and inspire, one community at a time.
