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Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Federal officers' presence at Puerto Rican museum draws criticism, stokes deportation fears
The federal agents on the screen wore black as they entered the museum's doors. One briefly spoke to a staff member before walking down the hallway and out of the camera's view, leaving the employees at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park feeling targeted and intimidated. 'Our community is under attack. The Latino community, brown people, are being targeted by this administration,' said Ald. Gil Villegas, 36th, at a hastily arranged news conference on Wednesday with other community leaders and other elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, who believed the federal government was there for immigration enforcement purposes. But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents weren't there for immigration reasons, said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement. They were there to hold a briefing in the museum's parking lot ahead of an operation related to a narcotics investigation. Museum staffers say the agents refused to identify themselves. In security footage reviewed by the Tribune and other media after the news conference, the agents were seen arriving in unmarked vehicles and standing in a group in the parking lot. Several of them entered without incident. Still, the presence of federal officers at the museum on Tuesday set off a chain reaction of fear in a community already on edge. And regardless of why federal officers showed up unannounced at the museum, some local officials continued their criticism of their tactics. 'Agents of DHS … should identify themselves, like every law enforcement official is required to do,' said Ramirez, who represents Illinois' 3rd Congressional District, in a statement. The strong response from community leaders and local officials mirrored nationwide panic that was sparked in January after two Secret Service officers — who were mistaken for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — attempted to enter a school in Back of the Yards on the city's South Side. Then, as on Tuesday, DHS confirmed to the Tribune that it was conducting a separate investigation, unrelated to immigration. In recent weeks and months, nationwide fear has spread through images and videos on social media of President Donald Trump's administration detaining people in public spaces. Most notably in Los Angeles this week, armed federal agents showed up in a park considered to be the hub of a well-known immigrant neighborhood. With that visible enforcement front of mind on Wednesday morning, dozens of organizers and city and state leaders gathered inside the museum to condemn the federal government for targeting Latino communities for deportation. The museum staff reported that about 15 unmarked vehicles drove into the Puerto Rican museum's parking lot during operating hours on Tuesday, creating worry that the federal government was preparing to target upcoming festivals in the West Side park — the Barrio Arts Festival and the Colombian Festival, planned for the upcoming two weekends. Although Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, the festivals are expected to draw large crowds of Latinos, a group frequently targeted in nationwide immigration enforcement raids. 'We have reason to believe that here in Humboldt Park, we may see what they demonstrated earlier this week in Los Angeles,' said Esmeralda Montesinos, an organizer with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. On Tuesday, the agents were on site at the museum between 3 and 5 p.m., according to Veronica Ocasio, the museum's director of education and programming. They pulled their vehicles into the parking lot, she said, and then talked and milled around. Ocasio said an employee of hers who was taking out the garbage overheard the agents talking about the upcoming festivals. The staff member immediately panicked, assuming they were discussing a strategy to detain people at the upcoming events. Later, several tried to enter the building, Ocasio said, claiming they needed to use the bathroom. The agents and vehicles left after a different employee told them the parking lot was closing for the day. But they wanted to park their vehicles overnight, she said. McLaughlin, the DHS assistant secretary, later clarified in a statement that the officials were part of the Financial Crimes Task Force, under the investigative arm of the federal agency. 'The Department of Homeland Security DID NOT target the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture,' the statement read. The museum's staff emphasized Wednesday that it didn't matter why DHS officials were there. 'If they had just said they were working on a drug case, maybe it would have been a different story, but we can't take that as fact now, after the point,' a spokesperson for the museum said. Chicago police said they were not informed about the federal agents stopping for a briefing at the museum. Aldermen, meanwhile, expressed skepticism and concern about McLaughlin's statement. Ald. Ruth Cruz, 30th, said that it's been 'difficult to believe the information they're sharing is accurate.' She cited a U.S. citizen who was pulled over in her ward by federal agents while walking his dog. 'They had him go up to his apartment and bring back his residence card,' she said. 'Our community is scared. We feel that we're under attack.' At the news conference Wednesday, several elected officials shared their own immigrant stories, stressing that Latino communities in Chicago plan to present a united front against nationwide deportation efforts by the federal government. 'I am from Puerto Rico,' said Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd. 'Our siblings that are coming into this country … for the same reason that I came here, because it was impossible to live under the conditions that we were in.' They also shared harrowing stories of their own family members who have been affected by increased immigration enforcement. State Sen. Graciela Guzmán, a Chicago Democrat, has several of her family members in Los Angeles, where she said 'militarization has been unavoidable.' 'We had a cousin disappear a couple of months ago. We just found out he's in Guantanamo,' Guzmán said, referring to a naval base in Cuba being used by Trump to detain dozens of foreigners.
Axios
4 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Latino leaders vow to protect Barrio Fest from ICE
Local Latino lawmakers are vowing to protect Chicagoans who 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: ICE officials did not respond to Axios' request for comment on the allegations. 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.
Fox News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
'Squad' erupts in fury as Trump takes bold action against Iranian nuclear threat
Members of the congressional "Squad" unleashed sharp criticism of President Donald Trump after he ordered a barrage of missile and bomb strikes on Iranian nuclear sites late Saturday. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., was the most vocal of all, tweeting several times about the offensive. Responding to cryptocurrency exchange CEO Arjun Sethi's comment about U.S. "elites" being most united by war "especially against Muslims in the Middle East," Tlaib remarked, "Yep and it's so f---ing sick." "President Trump sending US troops to bomb Iran without the consent of Congress is a blatant violation of the Constitution. The American people do not want another forever war," Tlaib added in a separate message. "Instead of listening to the American people, Trump is listening to War Criminal Netanyahu who lied about Iraq and is lying once again about Iran. Congress must act immediately to exert its war powers and stop this unconstitutional war." She also retweeted right-wing Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who had commented "this (strike) is not constitutional." Squad Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., echoed Tlaib's concerns about "endless war," and called Trump and Netanyahu "warmongers." "It is the people who suffer the illegal & irresponsible actions of authoritarian leaders," she said. "Only Congress has the power to declare war. We must act to protect our safety and shared humanity." Rep. Gregorio Casar, D-Texas, a newer member of the far-left congressional group, claimed it is "illegal" for Trump to act as he did. "Congress should immediately pass a War Powers Resolution to block Trump from carrying out an unconstitutional war," the Austin lawmaker said. "My entire adult life, politicians have promised that new wars in the Middle East would be quick and easy. Then they sent other people's children to fight and die endlessly. Enough." The most recognizable Squad member, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called Trump's decision "disastrous" and said striking Iran without congressional authorization "a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers." "He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations," Ocasio-Cortez went on, adding that Trump has established clear "grounds for impeachment." Though not a member of the Squad, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., also made an impeachment call Saturday. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., reiterated other Squad members' criticisms, adding Trump "reckless(ly) escalate(ed)" the conflict between Israel and Iran. "Congress must vote immediately on Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Tim Kaine's War Powers resolutions when we return to session." Omar also shared a quote from Bill Clinton, saying prior to the strike that Trump should "diffuse" the situation and that Netanyahu has "long wanted to fight Iran." Rep. Ayanna Pressley, the Boston lawmaker who also identifies with the Squad, said Trump violated the Constitution and risking innocent lives. In Pittsburgh, Rep. Summer Lee said Trump is "acting fully outside of his authority and is once again trampling on the Constitution." "This is an illegal and terrifying escalation. Dropping bombs on Iran brings us closer to war, not peace, and he is putting millions of lives at stake. Congress must immediately pass our War Powers Resolution to rein him in." Lee mocked Trump as "your hypocritical 'anti-war' president who just illegally struck Iran and is putting countless lives at risk." Later Saturday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said the Squad and others crying out about the War Powers Act, saying that courts have ruled it refers to deploying troops, not what Trump has done. "If we are attacked, the commander-in-chief has the authority and ability to protect Americans at home and abroad if we feel threatened or attacked," Mullin said. "He's keeping America safe," he told "Hannity."
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Illinois members of Congress say they were denied access to an ICE facility for second day
Illinois congresspeople tried to enter an immigration processing center in the Chicago area Wednesday, but for the second straight day were denied entry. U.S. Reps. Delia Ramirez, Jesús "Chuy" García, Jonathan Jackson, and Danny Davis went to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview Wednesday. The members of Congress said they have heard reports that the facility is being used as a detention center, in violation of state and city ordinances. The members of Congress also said they wanted to confirm reports that migrants held there are facing inhumane conditions and being cut off from their attorneys. The representatives held a news conference after García said the group was denied entry, despite federal law allowing them to inspect it. "What is happening in that detention facility, we should be able to inspect," said Jackson. "Members of Congress with the authority to be able to conduct unannounced oversight were told through a hole in a gate of barbed wire, 'Send an email,'" added Ramirez. This comes one day after Reps. Jackson and Raja Krishnamoorthi were also turned away from an immigration facility in Chicago's South Loop. CBS News Chicago reached out to ICE on this matter Wednesday, but had not heard back as of the afternoon.
Fox News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Democrat accuses Trump of unleashing ‘campaign of terror' on illegals as LA riots rage
As anti-ICE riots rage across Los Angeles, congressional Democrats marked the 13th anniversary of DACA with a press conference during which Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., accused President Donald Trump of unleashing a "campaign of terror" on illegal immigrants. DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a U.S. immigration policy that defers deportation for eligible immigrants who arrived in the country as children. Speaking just outside the Capitol building Wednesday, Ramirez accused Trump, border czar Tom Homan, Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller and the entire administration of targeting anyone they consider "undesirable." She also pushed a conspiracy theory that the president will target U.S. citizens the same way he has deported criminal migrants. "Trump, Homan, Miller and this whole regime has waged a campaign of terror against our neighbors, against our families, our loved ones, as they advance their fascist agenda and try to cast immigrants as a public enemy," Ramirez said. "Let us say it, and I'm going to say it unapologetically," she added. "We don't need bans, We don't need walls. We don't need raids. We don't need kidnappings. We don't need masked agents terrorizing our communities. We don't need military attacking our neighbors. We have to demand an end to the terror tactics." Los Angeles has been rocked by fiery riots and clashes with police and federal authorities since Friday. The rioting began Friday in response to immigration enforcement operations by ICE throughout the city. In response, Trump deployed federalized National Guard troops and several hundred Marines to assist in restoring order. This move has been heavily criticized by Democrats, who have accused Trump of intentionally provoking rioters. "The unlawful actions used against immigrants today will be used tomorrow on anyone who this regime deems undesirable because fascism always demands a public enemy," Ramirez claimed. "It is why we must stand with DACA recipients, and we must also stand with their parents. "We must also stand with their uncles and their sisters and their tias and our small businesses and our teachers and our LGBTQ and every single person this regime is attacking." Despite Ramirez's characterization of the Trump administration targeting innocent "tias," federal immigration authorities have detailed criminal charges against the illegals arrested by ICE. This week, ICE published information on charges against illegals arrested in Los Angeles during the ongoing riots. On Wednesday, ICE said it had arrested Jesus Romero-Retana, a Mexican national who the agency said had been convicted of battery and threatening with intent to terrorize. ICE also said it arrested a Cambodian illegal named Mab Khleb in Los Angeles Tuesday. The agency said he had been sentenced for lewd acts with a child, battery and multiple drug offenses. ICE said it arrested the criminal illegal "despite the best efforts of anti-ICE protestors in the city." A source familiar with the operations shared with Fox News Digital a listing of some of the arrests made by ICE in the last week. These arrests included a Salvadoran national arrested in Los Angeles for sodomy of a child, a Mexican national arrested in Chicago for criminal sexual assault of a child, a Mexican national arrested in Houston for indecent sexual contact with a child, a Honduran national arrested in El Paso for possession of child pornography and a Laotian national arrested for murder and attempted murder.
