Barrio Arts Fest, Colombian Independence Day Celebration draw crowds despite DHS concerns; agents seen at Puerto Rican museum
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — There were concerns about immigration raids at two weekend festivals in Chicago after Department of Homeland Security agents were seen near one of the sites this week.

Despite those concerns, the Barrio Arts Fest and Colombian Independence Day Celebration both drew big crowds.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Organizers of both events, including at the Barrio Arts Festival in Humboldt Park, say they didn’t want to cancel the events because of concerns of possible ICE raids. So instead, they prepared in case those fears came to fruition.

“What they did was help to united the Latino community,” said Billy Ocasio, director of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.

We’re a little bit afraid… Hispanic people, we are really afraid now and we shouldn’t be.

Guilibaleo Criollo, Colombian Independence Day Celebration organzier

In the midst of enjoying Puerto Rican pride was also some lingering concerns.

“I live around the corner, and I want to make sure that our community is able to celebrate our culture, diversity, the arts without any fear,” said Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois’ 3rd District.

The two-day Barrio Arts Festival in Humboldt Park continued this weekend amid those fears and confusion about possible ICE raids. That’s why organizers said security was hired to keep federal agents from entering the private property at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, where the event is hosted, while also having immigration attorneys on hand.

The extra precautions come after surveillance video showed a group of Department of Homeland Security officers in the parking lot of the museum on Tuesday.

“At a time where Homeland Security wants to demonstrate or try to portray fear, we’re saying ‘presente, we are here,'” Ramirez said.

SEE ALSO | ‘I wanted to do something to fight back’: New app lets users know when ICE agents are in their area

Museum officials said the agents refused to show a warrant and believed they were trying to scope out the area ahead of this weekend’s event.

“People said, ‘If they could do this to a Puerto Rican museum – Puerto Ricans are citizens – imagine what they’re planning for us,'” Ocasio said. “We put together protocols to make sure that, if they do show up, how we’re going to handle it. So, other communities are learning from us and preparing from us.”

That includes organizers at the Colombian Independence Day Celebration in Logan Square.

SEE ALSO | City of Chicago joins lawsuit over effort to block funds for sanctuary cities

“We’re a little bit afraid,” organizer Guilibaleo Criollo said.

That fear is why volunteers handed out fliers for any undocumented people to know their rights while some other volunteers kept an eye out for any sightings of federal agents.

“Hispanic people, we are really afraid now and we shouldn’t be, so hopefully, next year it will be better for us,” Criollo said.

Back at the Barrio Arts Festival, DHS told ABC 7 that its agents were gathered in the parking lot earlier this week as part of an unrelated narcotics investigation and not for any immigration enforcement.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Charlize Theron calls out Hollywood for not taking 'risk' on female hero action films

Charlize Theron Criticizes Hollywood’s Hesitance to Embrace Female-Led Action Films

Actress Charlize Theron criticized the film industry for hesitating to support female-led…
Trump lashes out at Rosie O’Donnell, threatens to take away US citizenship

Trump Criticizes Rosie O’Donnell, Makes Citizenship Threats

President Trump on Saturday lashed out against comedian Rosie O’Donnell, calling her…
Dancers at an Arizona club feared they were being targeted — and then one was killed

Arizona Club’s Dancers Felt Threatened – Tragedy Strikes as One is Fatally Attacked

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is now recommending that Young be charged…
City ruined by 'billionaires' playground'... locals being forced out

“Billionaires’ Playground Takes Over City, Driving Out Locals”

A Texas city is becoming a billionaires’ playground as it moves forward…
Celeb prayer app's 'insane' rise in users as Gen Z finds its faith

Celebrity Prayer App’s ‘Explosive’ Growth Among Faith-Seeking Gen Z

A Christian app that guides cell phone users through prayers and meditations…
Stunning red state suburb explodes as thousands flock for perfect life

Explosive Growth in Red State Suburb as Thousands Seek the Ideal Lifestyle

Just north of Houston, a sleepy commuter town has gradually been growing,…
Valley woman returns home months after fiery I-10 crash rescue

Local Woman Comes Home After Months Long Recovery Following Fiery I-10 Crash

Asharie Cheatham suffered burns to nearly a third of her body when…
Discarded ashes found outside shut-down Kansas City funeral home

Unattended Ashes Discovered Near Closed Kansas City Funeral Home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) Chains, an orange cone and a broom block the…