NEW ROCHELLE, NY (July 3, 2025) — The City of New Rochelle has cancelled plans for its annual Taste of Union Avenue scheduled for July 26.
Sources at City Hall say concerns were raised by Councilmember Martha Lopez about low turnout due to ongoing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. Lopez represents District #1 which includes Union Avenue and encompasses a large segment of New Rochelle’s Latino population. Lopez did not reply to emails seeking comment.
Over the past six weeks, 10 people are known to have been detained in New Rochelle by federal agents — 4 at the Home Depot, 5 at Heritage Homes, potentially linked to the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and 1 on a murder warrant out of the Dominican Republic. More ICE operations have occurred throughout Westchester County.
“After careful consideration, Union Avenue will not be part of New Rochelle’s ‘Taste of’ series this year – a decision made to ensure our public events remain safe, welcoming, and successful for all. We’re developing an alternate way to celebrate and support the area’s vibrant restaurants and small businesses, and will share more soon. In the meantime, we invite everyone to explore our community calendar for free summer programming showcasing the best of New Rochelle, including NRCA Summer Sounds and the Downtown Summer Sizzle Concert Series.”
An ICE spokesperson sent CBS News New York the following statement:
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not indiscriminately conduct enforcement actions on random people at public events, nor do we target U.S. citizens for the purpose of civil immigration enforcement. ICE conducts targeted enforcement actions that are based on intelligence driven leads focused on aliens identified for arrest and removal from the United States.”
The Department of Development at the City of New Rochelle and the Hispanic American Advisory Committee presented the First Annual Taste of Union Avenue in July 2022. The event is meant to promote Union Avenue restaurants and vendors and includes children’s activities arts and crafts, live music, along with a variety of ethnic foods from all of Latin America.
Tony Aiello of WCBS-TV has more here:
New Rochelle’s annual Taste of Union Avenue event canceled amid ICE unease