Federal agents paid an unexpected visit to the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (NMPRAC) in Chicago earlier this week in what the museum has described as a “targeted” attempt to intimidate staff and visitors ahead of a lineup of Latine cultural celebrations.
Security footage shared with Hyperallergic shows two individuals, one wearing a police badge and vest, entering the museum through its main entrance shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, July 8. It is unclear what specific agency they were affiliated with. Billy Ocasio, the museum’s president and chief executive officer, told Hyperallergic that the officers were part of a group that arrived in 15 to 20 unmarked vehicles in the museum’s parking lot.
“One of them asked to use the bathroom, and then when our staff told them it was okay, another one followed in,” Ocasio said. He added that rather than use the restroom facilities, the unidentified officers proceeded to “look around the museum,” refusing to leave when staff members asked. The officers also repeatedly refused to present a warrant or identification, Ocasio said.
“People were frightened. They didn’t know how to respond and were intimidated.”
Ocasio added that one of the agents who waited outside told staff that they worked for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The group left the property before closing time at 5pm.
Founded in 2000 in Humboldt Park, a neighborhood in northwest Chicago historically known for its strong Puerto Rican presence, NMPRAC prides itself as the only national museum outside of the island itself dedicated to preserving Puerto Rican arts and cultural heritage.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin denied the museum’s allegations that DHS officials entered the museum premises in a statement shared with Hyperallergic.
“FALSE. The Department of Homeland Security DID NOT target the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture,” McLaughlin said, claiming that officers with Chicago’s Financial Crimes Task force held a “quick briefing” in the museum’s parking lot prior to an “enforcement action related to a narcotics investigation.”
“Once again, the media and Sanctuary City politicians are shamefully peddling a false narrative in an attempt to demonize our ICE enforcement agents, who are already facing a 700% surge in assaults against them,” McLaughlin added.
However, both the museum and local officials remain wary of future escalations from federal immigration officers. Ocasio said that Humboldt Park district issued a cease and desist order to DHS prohibiting them from trespassing on the museum’s private property. He also said that the museum has begun training staff to prepare them for potential future run-ins with federal law enforcement.
The museum is planning to have on-site private security, legal observers, and attorneys trained in immigration law at its Barrio Arts Fest scheduled for this weekend, Ocasio said. The annual celebration of Puerto Rican arts and culture — featuring a lineup of artisans, food vendors, workshops, museum tours, and performances — is free to the public and regularly draws large crowds of attendees.
The museum is also preparing to take similar measures for its Colombian Fest, scheduled for later this month, and Fiesta Boricua, which is slated for the end of August, Ocasio added.
“I think [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and Homeland Security are trying to intimidate people not to come to these events,” Ocasio said, adding that he remains optimistic that the incident will not deter attendees from coming to the events.
“In Chicago, we’ve been through this before. We’ve dealt with a lot of immigration issues, and I think they just helped us secure probably the biggest audience we’re ever going to have,” Ocasio said.