Celebrated in the traditional Kinseanella style, Roland Heights Teen Sweet 16 was intended to bring in 200 loved ones, but most were at home, fearing immigration enforcement would spread throughout the community.
Dennis Alvarez had long dreamed of a celebration, so when he finally arrived, only about 40 of the expected guests appeared.
A video posted by Jasmine Piqueno, a bartender working at the event, has since gone viral
“I was excited to see what I looked like. What does my dress look like,” said Alvarez, a birthday girl.
The teens decided to celebrate with a quinceañera style party, a Latino tradition that celebrates the transition of girls to adulthood. For months, Alvarez and her mother, Maria, planned all the details.
“It’s like a wedding. There’s no bride or groom, but everything else is the same. Dresses, halls, food, decorations, party favors,” Maria Arabales said.
Maria estimates the party will cost around $15,000.
But a few days before the big day, Maria says some immigration enforcement activities have been reported in the area and cancellations have begun.
“They’re scared, and it’s better for them to stay home,” Maria said.
Maria says more than half of her money, nearly $10,000, has been lost to the bounty of wasted parties, food and drinks.
When Alvarez arrived, reality began in her big green dress, leaving the teenager full of empty chairs.
“I imagined it as if a lot of people were coming out and getting crowded and noisy,” Alvarez said.
Video Submitted Video Submit Jasmine Piqueno is a bartender working at the event and later went viral for the empty venue.
“It’s not fair that our community is being traumatized,” Piqueno said.
The bartender says she saw a pattern of last-minute cancellations and saw a decline in attendance at events like Alvarez.
“Since then, I’d say it’s late, like in April, like in April,” Piqueno said.
For Alvarez, it wasn’t the party she imagined, but she says it was still special.
“It doesn’t matter that people didn’t show up. I’m happy they hang out with their family,” Alvarez said.
Maria says she has poured her savings into the party and is disappointed that many people have not shown, but she understands their fears.
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