Philly's Cinco De Mayo Celebration Cancelled Over Immigrant Crackdown Fears: Reports

El Carnaval de Puebla en Filadelfia has brought thousands of people together in Philadelphia to celebrate Cinco de Mayo for nearly 10 years.

But with fear over immigration crackdown, the event's organizers have shut down the 2017 celebration, according to reports.

Organizer Edgar Ramirez told NBC 10 that cancelling the annual celebration was difficult, but the right thing to do as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is cracking down in illegal immigration.

Philadelphia was recently the target of an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations that nabbed nearly 250 criminal aliens.

“The group of six organizers decided to cancel unanimously,” Ramirez told the news station. “Everyone is offended by the actions of ICE. They did not feel comfortable holding the event.”

Organizer David Pina said he and other organizers have received threats about federal agents targeting the event, according to CBS Philly.

An ICE officer told NBC10 that the agency does not conduct sweep or raids that target aliens indiscriminately.

Both Pina and Ramirez have their sights on 2018 and hope to bring the celebration back to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.