COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The third annual Coldwater Cultural Jubilee, held on Saturday, at Tibbits Plaza, saw a notable decline in participation from the local Haitian and Hispanic communities due to widespread fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.
Despite the event’s theme, “A Gathering of Neighbors,” many residents, including legal residents and U.S. citizens, chose to stay away after recent regional immigration enforcement actions fueled anxiety.
Organizers confirmed that while the festival successfully showcased Potawatomi, Arab, and Yemeni traditions, the visible absence of many regular participants from Caribbean and Latin American backgrounds underscored a growing rift between the city’s inclusive goals and the effect of federal enforcement threats.
Local advocates and protesters had previously gathered downtown to voice support for the roughly 500 Haitian residents who face ongoing uncertainty regarding their Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
While performers like the Sound of Haiti and Ballet Folklorico were still featured on the schedule, organizers noted that several vendors and families who typically anchor the event’s Hispanic and Haitian displays withdrew at the last minute.
The festival, intended to bridge cultural divides, instead became a focal point for discussions on how federal immigration policy can inadvertently suppress the very civic engagement and diversity that local community leaders strive to celebrate.
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