The popular and beloved Mexican dancers, a long-time staple participating in the Edison Festival of Light parade, will not be a part of the event this weekend.
Gulf Coast News has learned the dancers are pulling out over President Trump's crackdown on immigration, leaving the parade with less cultural diversity.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Fort Myers this weekend. Hundreds will be marching; however, the Mexican dancers will not be among them.
Claudia Velez immigrated to the U.S. from Veracruz, Mexico, and calls Fort Myers home. She now works for DeMine Immigration, it’s along the Edison Festival of Lights parade route.
Velez said many Mexican and Central American immigrants are living in fear after President Donald Trump has vowed to detain those who entered the country illegally.
“We're detaining them and throwing them the hell of out of country. We have no apologies,” Trump said recently in Florida.
That crackdown is the reason the colorful dancers won't be attending the parade, and while they're all here legally, many friends and family are not.
“I think it's because they're afraid for their families. People think if they go out to the supermarket or wherever, they're going to be taken away,” Velez explained.
The news comes as a disappointment to parade organizers like Melisa Giovannelli.
“I just found out about it yesterday that they weren't going to be in here. They're one of our favorites in the parade. They will be missed!" Giovannelli said.
Giovannelli is a Festival of Light board member, and she made it clear the dancers are still welcome to attend.
“We don't turn anyone away. I respect everyone's thoughts and reasonings behind what they do. But they're always welcome to come back next year,” Giovannelli said.