The National Puerto Rican Agenda (NPRA) strongly condemned the unauthorized and unannounced intrusion of agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (NMPRAC) in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred on July 8, when between 15 and 20 federal vehicles arrived at the cultural institution without presenting court orders, legal documentation, or any form of identification.
According to witnesses, museum staff questioned the agents, who refused to show credentials or explain the reasons for their presence. Instead, the officers proceeded to move through the building, stating a supposed interest in “assessing entry and exit points” in case future events included undocumented individuals. Staff also reported being harassed by the agents during what they considered an unwarranted search, which constitutes a violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The NPRA described the action as a direct affront to the values of dignity, equity, and respect for civil liberties. NMPRAC is a space dedicated to preserving and uplifting Puerto Rican cultural heritage, and turning it into a surveillance target is, in the organization’s view, both unacceptable and dangerous.
In response, the NPRA demanded that no individual or government agency use public gatherings of Puerto Rican or Latino communities as a pretext for harassment. The group also called for a full investigation into the conduct of the agents involved and the organization of a public assembly with the community to ensure accountability.
One of the issues the NPRA proposed for that community meeting is the economic impact these actions have on institutions like NMPRAC, which now must allocate additional resources to legal counsel, security, and legal representation to protect spaces that were once considered safe.
Despite the tension caused by the intrusion, several media outlets reported that the two-day event held at the museum continued without further incidents.
The NPRA urged elected officials, civil rights organizations, and community leaders to stand in support of NMPRAC and all institutions that serve as beacons of cultural identity and inclusion. The organization’s president, Nilda Iris Ruiz, reaffirmed her solidarity with the museum and its staff, warning that they will not remain silent in the face of civil rights violations and intimidation attempts.
The National Puerto Rican Agenda is a non-partisan alliance made up of Puerto Rican organizations in the United States, elected and appointed officials, community leaders, and volunteer citizens, with the mission of strengthening collective capacity to promote positive change for the Puerto Rican community.