Día de los Muertos celebrations rise from the dead as ICE arrests continue: ‘It’s important to bring joy in dark times’

After canceling events in 2025, US cities including Henderson, Kentucky, are reviving public Day of the Dead events

Julia, a 19-year-old born in the US, and her parents, undocumented immigrants from Mexico, enjoyed attending the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration each year in Henderson, Kentucky, and selling aguas frescas, horchatas and a sweet bread traditionally eaten on the Mexican holiday.

Last year, her family also built an ofrenda, or altar, featuring flowers and a violin, to honor her grandfather, who played the instrument and died in 2023 in Mexico.