Overview
- The two‑day, 24‑hour observance ran from Thursday night to Friday evening with hourly Masses, Las Mañanitas, fireworks and a torch lighting at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Organizers said federal agents would not be allowed on church grounds without warrants, and a DHS spokesperson said ICE does not raid churches, with no enforcement activity reported at the shrine.
- Des Plaines deployed uniformed police, extensive road closures and remote parking, while more than 400 trained volunteers assisted with crowd guidance and safety.
- Pilgrims and reporters described thinner crowds than in prior years, attributing the drop to bitter cold and concerns over immigration enforcement.
- Services were livestreamed for those avoiding in‑person attendance, as parallel Guadalupe celebrations drew large turnouts in Mexico City and U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Dallas and Indianapolis.