Latino leaders vow to protect Barrio Fest from ICE
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U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) speaks Wednesday morning at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture alongside several Latino lawmakers and cultural leaders. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
Local Latino lawmakers are vowing to protect Chicagoans who they believe may be targeted by immigration officers in the coming days at cultural festivals.
Why it matters: The community is on high alert after more than 15 people who said they worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but showed no identification, arrived at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park on Tuesday.
- Staff say they used "gestapo-style intimidation" and refused to leave.
Between the lines: Museum officials say a staffer overheard someone they believe was a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer discuss targeting upcoming festivals at the museum for raids.
- This weekend, the museum will host its annual Barrio Arts Festival, followed by Colombian Fest July 18-20.
What they're saying: "We're not going to let ICE intimidate our families and instill fear in us," said Ald. Jessie Fuentes during a Wednesday press conference at the museum.
- She noted that the museum is located on "private property" and "ICE is not welcome."
The other side: DHS officials did not respond to Axios' request for comment, but told the Tribune that its officers were at the museum for a narcotics briefing and part of a financial crimes unit.
- The statement to the Tribune said DHS was not targeting the museum.
Reality check: While Latino leaders promised to protect this weekend's festival attendees by denying entry to ICE officers if they show up and keeping immigration attorneys on hand, they acknowledged there are limits to what they can do in the face of armed agents.
- "They have the guns, they're masked up, and they have been deployed by the President of the United States to abduct people without due process," U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez tells Axios.
Context: President Trump's megabill just allocated more than $100 billion through 2029 for immigration enforcement.
- Ramirez has co-sponsored a bill that would require ICE agents to identify themselves and remove masks while working.
Zoom out: The alleged arrival of ICE agents in Humboldt Park came in the wake of a militarized immigration operation in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park this week.
What we're watching: Chicago on Tuesday moved to join a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's efforts to penalize "sanctuary jurisdictions" that don't aid in "civil immigration enforcement."
What's next: Latino leaders urged the public to attend the Barrio Arts Festival this weekend to enjoy Puerto Rican food, music and artwork — but also to show solidarity at a time when the Latino community is under attack.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a DHS response provided to the Chicago Tribune and new security photo.