Statement from the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Regarding Homeland Security Presence at the National Museum for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2025

CHICAGO – The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus strongly condemns the unexplained presence of multiple unmarked federal vehicles and armed agents outside the National Puerto Rican Museum in Humboldt Park on the evening of July 8, 2025.

At a time of heightened fear within immigrant and working-class communities, the sudden appearance of 15 to 20 armed agents outside a cultural institution without clear identification or explanation caused alarm among residents and organizers. It also raised serious questions about inter-agency coordination, jurisdiction, and respect for community spaces.

Federal officials have since claimed that the agents were part of a DEA narcotics investigation. However, this explanation has been met with justified skepticism. The overwhelming show of force, the symbolic location, and the fact that agents were overheard discussing upcoming cultural events, including festivals that draw large immigrant crowds, point to a pattern of intimidation rather than routine enforcement.

This moment underscores an urgent need for clarity and transparency from all federal agencies operating in our neighborhoods. Agents conducting operations in densely populated, high-traffic community areas, especially those home to cultural institutions and large public gatherings, must identify themselves and produce appropriate documentation, including warrants when applicable.

We call on the Governor’s Office, Mayor’s Office, and the Chicago Police Department to immediately review protocols for federal agency activity within city limits, and to ensure that City Council members are notified of future operations that may impact the communities we represent.

As the Latino Caucus, we remain committed to protecting our neighborhoods' dignity, safety, and cultural integrity. Our communities deserve clear communication, accountability, and a proactive approach prioritizing public trust.

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