Day of the Dead commemorations in early November are a crucial religious, family and community celebration for most Mexicans and many other Latin Americans. This year in the United States, they are taking on a special significance because of the increase in immigration enforcement raids and other actions targeting Latino communities. Some organizers had worried that fear of deportation would cast a pall on public celebrations. But participants turned out in droves in cities big and small, saying the rituals brought a much-needed sense of resilience and community pride.