About 15 unmarked vehicles linked to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security converged on the parking lot of Chicago’s National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture on the afternoon of 8 July, remaining for nearly two hours. Museum staff said agents, some of whom entered the building, declined to show warrants or identification and asked to keep their vehicles on the private lot. The unannounced appearance triggered alarm in Humboldt Park, a neighborhood with a large Latino population preparing to host the annual Barrio Arts Festival this weekend and other summer events. Elected officials including U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez and Chicago Ald. Jessie Fuentes denounced what they called a “scare tactic” aimed at immigrant residents, arguing that the timing suggested possible crowd-control or immigration enforcement planning. DHS later told the Chicago Sun-Times that the agents were members of Homeland Security Investigations’ Financial Crimes Task Force staging a briefing for a narcotics operation and that the museum was not a target. Local leaders said the explanation failed to address why agents entered the property without prior notice or why they referenced upcoming festivals. Community groups are exploring legal options and have scheduled additional briefings to advise residents ahead of the 12–13 July festival. City officials said they are reviewing measures to protect public spaces while avoiding interference with federal law-enforcement activities.