‘¡Vivan los migrantes!’: Amid fear and uncertainty, Phoenix celebrates Mexican Independence Day

Versión en español

The spirit of freedom and unity beat in the hearts of dozens of people who gathered Monday night at the Arizona State Capitol to commemorate the 215th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence Day. This celebration, characterized by the infamous “Grito de Independencia,” or independence cry, held every Sept. 15, is one most beloved by Mexicans.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Capitol was illuminated in green, white, and red — the iconic colors of the Mexican flag — to host the celebration of “El Grito,” organized by the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix.

Also known as the “Grito de Dolores,” the Grito is a historical event that sparked the Mexican War of Independence. In the early morning of Sept. 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bell of his parish church in Dolores, Guanajuato, and called on the Mexican people to rise up in arms against the Spanish viceroyalty. This battle cry ended three centuries of oppression and colonization of the Mexican people.

In 2025, history was made in Mexico when, for the first time, a woman led the celebration.

In front of millions of Mexicans, the first female president of the Republic of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, rang the bells of the National Palace located in Mexico City's Zócalo.

Sept. 15 also marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month — a thirty-day celebration honoring the history, culture and contributions of Latino and Hispanic communities in the United States.

A culture that transcends borders and generations

The commemoration of Mexican Independence Day is a significant cultural celebration for Mexicans, even those living abroad. For them, their culture knows no borders and remains alive through generations.

This rings true for Miriam Coronel, a dancer from Sinaloa with the Danza Alma de México group, who was part of the repertoire of traditional performances held at the Capitol.

"I'm also happy to be able to leave a legacy for my grandchildren," said Coronel. "And that they grow up carrying on the Mexican tradition. Just like their grandmother."

Led by artists from both sides of the border, the musical numbers featuring folkloric dance and regional Mexican music demonstrated how they keep the essence of Mexico alive, even abroad.

Among them was Alan Ponce, known by his stage name "El Joven Charro de México" and originally from Phoenix. He moved the audience with his performances of the songs "México en la piel" and "El Mexicano."

Coronel shared the stage with his dance partner Alma Vazquez, who expressed her pride in being part of this celebration during difficult times for the Latino community.

“We put fear and uncertainty aside and are here celebrating our Mexican independence,” said Vazquez. “As the saying goes, ‘Mexicans united will never be defeated.’”

Healing through celebration

Although they are away from their homeland, Coronel, Vazquez and other Mexicans abroad have enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate this day with their respective consulates in their countries of residence. But for the estimated 12 million Mexicans residing in the United States, that changed this year.

Celebrations that have been held annually with pride and passion for the Hispanic community were suspended or moved to private spaces due to fear of immigration operations such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

Such was the case of the “El Grito” festival in Chicago, Illinois, which was postponed.

But that didn't stop Chicagoans from celebrating Mexican Independence Day as they gathered in the historic Pilsen neighborhood — known as the home of the Mexican and Latino community — to continue the festivities.

Amid times of fear and uncertainty due to the current immigration front carried out by the Trump administration, the "El Grito" celebration at the Capitol offered a space for attendees to share their love for Mexico and its people.

“For Mexican immigrants, it’s very empowering to see a piece of your home in another place that you now call home, right?” said Ivette Sosa, family and community liaison for Aliento in Mesa. "Being involved with your culture and being around it, I imagine it’s very healing."

Representatives from Aliento, a nonprofit organization, were at the event offering services. They specialize in providing resources to undocumented students and their families.

During the ceremony, attendees heard from political figures such as state representatives Mariana Sandoval of District 13 and Lorena Austin of District 9, and Karina Ruiz, the first immigrant to become a Mexican senator representing her fellow countrymen in the United States.

Sandoval took a few moments to pay tribute to prominent political figures in the Latino community who have passed away — U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva and activist Alfredo Gutierrez.

“Their legacy of courage and service reminds us that hope is stronger than fear and that the strength of our community is based on solidarity, perseverance, and resilience,” she said.

Ruiz dedicated her remarks to the Mexicans in the United States who drive the economies of both nations.

“I represent each and every one of you with great dignity in the Senate of the Republic so that legislation can be passed with the vision of my Mexicans abroad,” said Ruiz, who was also a Dreamer years before in Arizona. “We will no longer be ignored. We will no longer be forgotten. You are not alone.”

After these words, the ceremony began, with the Mexican Consul General in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, waving the Mexican flag and addressing the audience: "Long live the migrant community! Long live Arizona! Long live Mexico!"

Nicole Macias Garibay is a transborder storyteller and bilingual journalist from the U.S.-Mexico border. Her upbringing crossing the border on the daily fuels her drive to report on migration, Latino culture and the Hispanic community. She wrote for La Voz-The Arizona Republic, interned at Telemundo Arizona and launched VOCES, a bilingual magazine dedicated to telling stories para la comunidad, por la comunidad.