A week after a threatened federal immigration “surge” left immigrant communities in the Bay Area on edge, Latinx vendors and residents are turning to Día de los Muertos as a source of resilience and unity, though caution still lingers.
President Donald Trump had planned to deploy federal agents into San Francisco, but called off the operation after speaking with Mayor Daniel Lurie and tech executives.
The announcement brought relief, yet unease remains, especially in the Mission District, the city’s cultural and economic home for Latinos.
“Business has dropped completely. People don’t come outside. They’re afraid, those without papers,” said Johnny Rocha, 44, a Nicaraguan business owner who runs Antojitos Patry with his wife near 24th and Mission Street. Rocha said the street was nearly empty last week amid the “surge” threat, but he kept his shop open “because if we don’t, how are we going to pay the rent?”
By Wednesday, foot traffic on Mission Street had mostly returned, though some blocks remained quieter than usual. Along 24th Street, residents carried bundles of marigolds while shoppers trickled in and out of stores. There’s an uncertain liveliness in the neighborhood, which is preparing to host its 44th annual Día de los Muertos procession. Still, at least three community events were canceled out of precaution.
In El Tecolote’s Whatsapp group Thursday morning, we conducted a poll that showed most respondents felt uncertain about attending this weekend’s celebrations, citing lingering weariness.
Flor, 53, who sells tamales and arroz con leche, waits for customers at the 24th Street Plaza just days after President Donald Trump threatened a large scale federal operation in San Francisco, Calif., on Oct. 27, 2025. Flor, who only gave her first name, says it has been slow in sales and feels nervous for the Latino community in the Bay Area. Photos: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
For flower vendor Lilana Calvo, 23, the recent threats hit close to home. Her father was deported when she was 8 years old. “It’s difficult to go through that situation, especially for my mother who was left alone,” she said. “But still, one has to prepare. I have uncles and aunts, so you have to make a family plan to see who will take care of the children. Just being prepared more than anything.”
Every year, Calvo sells bright, orange marigolds. Though her family owns a brick-and-mortar flower shop along Mission Street in June, she prefers to sell on the sidewalk during the week before the procession. “Yes, sales have dropped because people don’t want to go outside, out of fear, for precaution more than anything,” she said. “Perhaps it has little to do with fear.” Earlier this week, she noticed far fewer street vendors than “the years before.”
Andrea, 40, a local food vendor called off work the moment the news broke. “It’s precaution for those of us who have children,” she said. She sells fruits and pupusas on Mission Street and only returned to work Wednesday morning, her first shift in nearly one week. Backdropped by colorful quinceñera dresses inside the boutique, Andrea formed bouquets of marigolds to sell. She’ll be selling pupusas outside the storefront on Sunday evening.
“With everything that’s happening with this administration, thankfully, they were able to contain some of that [threats],” she said. “But we also cannot let our guard down, so let’s hope the day of festivals is a good day for everyone. We’ll be here, supporting one another.”
Just up the street, near Van Ness Avenue, a longtime business owner who asked to remain anonymous said the street was relatively quiet last week, reminiscent of the pandemic. They said foot traffic began to recover by Tuesday evening, but anxiety remains high.
Denise Gonzales, owner of Luz de Luna, acknowledged last week’s slower pace, yet urged neighbors to stay united, especially this time of the year, when the Latino community is given a chance to show its resilience through ritual and celebration.
“This is when we honor those who parted us. It’s the only thing we can do in this life,” Gonzales said, who sells artisanal jewelry, paintings and Mexican crafts. “I think we shouldn’t be afraid…I think we shouldn’t change our way of being. All of these experiences can better prepare us.”
After a nerve-wracking week, Mission merchants expressed the need to come together without fear, only caution. Gonzales echoed that sentiment as she tended to customers on Wednesday afternoon.
“We have a sense of community here. We need to live life like if this was the last days of our life, right? But the thing is: watch your back, because we can’t trust this president.”
