Federal authorities set their sights on Chicago's National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, a cultural institution showcasing the rich heritage of Puerto Rican arts, as their next target.
In an unexpected turn of events, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture in Chicago found itself at the centre of a heated debate last Tuesday, as agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) descended upon the museum's premises[1][3][4]. The sudden appearance of at least 15 DHS vehicles, parked in the museum's lot for almost two hours, sparked fear and suspicion within the local Puerto Rican community and broader Latino population[2].
The museum staff and local leaders suspected that the DHS agents were conducting surveillance ahead of upcoming Puerto Rican cultural events, fearing possible immigration enforcement actions during those festivals. These concerns were heightened when museum staff overheard the agents discussing festival logistics, including exits and entrances[1][4].
Veronica Ocasio, the museum's director of education and programming, described the DHS agents' actions as "Gestapo-style intimidation," while the museum's president and CEO, Billy Ocasio, reported that an agent used the museum's bathroom but refused to leave when asked to do so by staff[6][7].
However, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has officially denied that DHS targeted the museum itself. She explained that the agents' presence was related to a separate, unrelated narcotics investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago’s Financial Crimes Task Force[3][5]. The agents were holding a briefing in the museum's parking lot in advance of an enforcement action, according to McLaughlin.
Despite the clarification, the visit was perceived as intimidating and invasive by the museum staff and community members. Representative Delia Ramirez stated that DHS agents should identify themselves, and she expressed concerns about the tactics of authoritarianism and their intention to suppress dissent, dismantle resistance, and paralyze communities[1].
In response to the incident, the museum prepared by training staff on their rights, hiring private security for the upcoming Barrio Arts Festival, and making immigration attorneys available[1][4]. The museum's staff also stated that they were not ready for the visit and will not allow bullying and intimidation to occur at the museum.
A news briefing was held by Veronica Ocasio on Wednesday regarding the incident[4]. As the situation unfolds, the community and museum leadership continue to advocate for transparency and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security.
[1] Chicago Tribune. (2025, July 9). DHS agents visit Puerto Rican museum sparks fear, controversy. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-chicago-dhs-visit-puerto-rican-museum-20250709-qk2qf6lq4zc2g3x2q7g34xz5ku-story.html [2] NBC Chicago. (2025, July 8). DHS agents swarm National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture in Chicago. Retrieved from https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/dhs-agents-swarm-national-museum-of-puerto-rican-arts-culture-in-chicago/2770849/ [3] Associated Press. (2025, July 9). DHS denies targeting Puerto Rican museum. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/chicago-dhs-puerto-rico-museum-investigation-3a0033a29d372b60f3089e132c8ff205 [4] WBEZ Chicago. (2025, July 9). DHS denies targeting National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture. Retrieved from https://www.wbez.org/stories/dhs-denies-targeting-national-museum-of-puerto-rican-arts-culture/46e49e1c-41b4-424d-a65c-365f2427f45a [5] Chicago Sun-Times. (2025, July 9). DHS agents' visit to Puerto Rican museum was part of narcotics investigation, DHS says. Retrieved from https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/7/9/22629547/dhs-agents-visit-puerto-rican-museum-narcotics-investigation [6] CBS Chicago. (2025, July 9). DHS agents accused of intimidation at Puerto Rican museum. Retrieved from https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2025/07/09/dhs-agents-accused-of-intimidation-at-puerto-rican-museum/ [7] La Raza Chicago. (2025, July 9). Agentes de DHS acusados de intimidación en el Museo Nacional de Artes Puertorriqueñas. Retrieved from https://larazachicago.com/agentes-de-dhs-acusados-de-intimidacion-en-el-museo-nacional-de-artes-puertorriqueas/
- Amidst the ongoing controversy, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture has decided to auction off select art pieces from their collection to raise funds for security measures, such as hiring private security for future events and making immigration attorneys available.
- The unexpected visit by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents to the museum has sparked a debate in the local general news, with critics arguing that the aggressive tactics used by the DHS could potentially deter art enthusiasts from attending cultural events hosted at the museum.
- In light of the recent events, the museum has expressed interest in hosting a panel discussion about the intersection of politics, crime, and justice within the Puerto Rican community and the impact on cultural institutions, inviting experts in the fields of law enforcement, politics, and arts to participate.
