On July 8, 2025, an incident in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago triggered a public outcry nationwide. Several plainclothes officers without visible insignia entered the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, claiming to be affiliated with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). One of the agents requested to use the restroom, but museum staff overheard conversations suggesting surveillance of upcoming festival routes, particularly the popular Barrio Arts Fest. The museum leadership and local politicians voiced concern that the visit may have been part of an intimidation tactic by ICE ahead of large public events that attract immigrant communities. Despite DHS representatives stating the agents were merely conducting a briefing linked to a narcotics investigation, community members, including city councilors, saw it as interference in cultural and civic life. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson supported residents' concerns and pledged to protect festival attendees with police patrols, legal aid, and private security. Community leaders emphasized that ICE should not use federal powers to intimidate cultural groups or undermine the city’s sanctuary status. This incident was further intensified by the ongoing expansion of ICE’s federal budget and operational scope under the 2025–2029 plan. As one of the largest sanctuary cities, Chicago remains at the forefront of the conflict between local autonomy and federal immigration enforcement. Sources: https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/09/after-federal-agents-pay-surprise-visit-to-puerto-rican-museum-humboldt-park-leaders-tell-ice-to-get-out/, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/humboldt-park-federal-agents-puerto-rican-museum/, https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/09/latino-leaders-ice-festival-threats