ICE Agent Piñatas Go Viral on Social Media Amid Backlash to Immigration Raids

Days after massive protests in the United States against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids targeting undocumented immigrants, videos of ICE agents throwing piñatas in Los Angeles have begun to go viral on social media.

Piñatas, one of the Latinx traditions that have taken root in parts of the United States, have expanded from their original function as containers for candy and toys at children's parties to become cultural and, in some cases, political expressions.

Such is the case of the ICE agent piñatas, which have been seen in stores and at parties in some of the cities that have suffered the most from the raids ordered by President Donald Trump's administration.

The images were greeted with humor and irony by social media users, who not only applauded them but also asked for directions to the places where they are sold so they could buy them and, perhaps, vent their frustrations.

"Would you buy these?" says a video from the Instagram account Socals, showing a display case with a dozen ICE agent piñatas.

The responses ranged from "Yes, of course" to a very ironic: "We must support local businesses."

In another video, posted by a TikTok user, another piñata is seen, a bit more colorful but also inspired by an ICE agent. According to the video, it was made at the Azúcar Dulcería bakery, located in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles and specializing in Mexican desserts and sweets.

This isn't the first time ICE agents have been recreated in piñatas. In 2019, during Trump's first presidency, a video went viral showing a group of children in Chicago beating on a similar piñata . In that case, it was a homemade Batman piñata offered to the children during a party organized by the Chamber of Commerce, which brought together about 25 businesses on the city's East Side.

The funds raised during the event were used to help Latino children who needed financial assistance to apply for political asylum in the United States.