Chicago's museums are on high alert as the city prepares for a potential influx of federal immigration agents. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Art and Culture in Humboldt Park was one of several cultural institutions visited by agents from the Department of Homeland Security last month, sparking concerns about the safety of staff and visitors.
Leaders from Chicago's cultural organizations met at the museum to learn how to respond to immigration enforcement. The training included advice on appointing a designated representative on-site to deal with agents, as well as guidance on I-9 audits, which are used to verify an individual's work authorization status.
Security experts believe that museums and other cultural institutions will be among the first points of contact for immigration agents. Thomas Henkey, vice president of emergency management at Marksman-Titan Security Group, told participants that his organization has been approached by clients asking about security protocols in case ICE shows up.
The training was led by Homero Tristan, an attorney at Tristan & Cervantes, who noted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement rarely obtains warrants to carry out immigration enforcement. However, he emphasized the importance of cultural institutions being prepared for potential visits from federal agents.
The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen has already experienced a visit from U.S. Marshals Service agents earlier this year, which its president and CEO, José Ochoa, likened to an "unwelcome dress rehearsal" for what's to come. Ochoa stressed that cultural organizations need to stay vigilant and prepared for the constantly changing political landscape.
Alderman Jessie Fuentes warned participants about the risks of racism being turned into policy. Her own experience with handcuffing by federal agents in October highlighted the need for cultural leaders to be proactive in protecting their staff and communities.
As the city prepares for a potential influx of immigration agents, cultural organizations are taking steps to increase their preparedness and resilience. With the constantly shifting landscape, experts emphasize the importance of staying informed and adapting to new challenges.
Leaders from Chicago's cultural organizations met at the museum to learn how to respond to immigration enforcement. The training included advice on appointing a designated representative on-site to deal with agents, as well as guidance on I-9 audits, which are used to verify an individual's work authorization status.
Security experts believe that museums and other cultural institutions will be among the first points of contact for immigration agents. Thomas Henkey, vice president of emergency management at Marksman-Titan Security Group, told participants that his organization has been approached by clients asking about security protocols in case ICE shows up.
The training was led by Homero Tristan, an attorney at Tristan & Cervantes, who noted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement rarely obtains warrants to carry out immigration enforcement. However, he emphasized the importance of cultural institutions being prepared for potential visits from federal agents.
The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen has already experienced a visit from U.S. Marshals Service agents earlier this year, which its president and CEO, José Ochoa, likened to an "unwelcome dress rehearsal" for what's to come. Ochoa stressed that cultural organizations need to stay vigilant and prepared for the constantly changing political landscape.
Alderman Jessie Fuentes warned participants about the risks of racism being turned into policy. Her own experience with handcuffing by federal agents in October highlighted the need for cultural leaders to be proactive in protecting their staff and communities.
As the city prepares for a potential influx of immigration agents, cultural organizations are taking steps to increase their preparedness and resilience. With the constantly shifting landscape, experts emphasize the importance of staying informed and adapting to new challenges.
. I mean, if immigration agents are gonna show up, they're gonna show up. It's not about bein' vigilant or prepared, it's about knowin' your rights and havin' a solid plan in place 
. And let's be real, the Department of Homeland Security is already doin' some pretty invasive audits 
. I think we should focus on buildin' our communities up rather than worryin' about what might happen 
. It's time to take control and not just wait for the other shoe to drop 
.
... I mean, I get it, security is a big deal, but have you seen those lineups at the Art Institute? Like, 10 people deep just waiting to get in 
. If ICE shows up, we're gonna need some serious backup 
. Did you know that over 75% of museum staff are immigrants themselves? They've got lives outside those walls 
. We gotta protect them and each other 
.
. But what's even crazier is that only 12% of those agencies had been granted warrants for immigration enforcement in 2022 
. So, like, when are we gonna see some real action on these warrants? 
; it's libraries, community centers... everywhere 
. We need to stay vigilant and keep fighting for our communities 
.
.
... I mean, museums and cultural institutions should be safe spaces for everyone, not a hotbed for immigration enforcement. It's like they're preparing for some kind of war or something 
. I get that they need to stay vigilant, but shouldn't they be focusing on preserving art and culture instead of dealing with this administrative stuff? And what about the staff and visitors who are just trying to enjoy exhibits and events? They shouldn't have to be worried about getting arrested or deported 
.
We gotta make sure our staff knows how to react if this happens, but at the same time, we can't be too aggressive or confrontational. That's when I think of our amazing community leaders who are stepping up to provide support and resources. It's like, we're all in this together, right? 
We gotta stay vigilant, but also make sure we're not putting ourselves in harm's way. I'm just worried that this is gonna affect more than just museums... it's a bigger issue for our entire community. 
The fact that some cultural institutions are getting "trained" on how to respond to these visits is just, like, soooo problematic 
. I get that it's a risk and all, but shouldn't they be focusing on art and culture instead of immigration enforcement protocols? 
like who needs art and culture when you can have a good old-fashioned ICE raid? 
on a more serious note, these museums need to be prepared for whatever comes their way. I-9 audits are not something to joke about, that's like saying "oh, just another Tuesday" 
anyway, let's hope everyone stays vigilant and... well, doesn't get handcuffed unnecessarily 
i'm all for preparedness, but this feels like a whole lot of unnecessary stress on staff and visitors.
... Museums? Immigrants? No thanks 
Just kidding kinda 
. Seriously though, what's next? Schools? Hospitals? Every cultural institution is being targeted now 
. How can they not prepare for this kind of thing? I mean, I'm no expert but it seems like common sense would kick in at some point 
The fact that these agents are already showing up at museums is super concerning. I mean, what kind of preparedness protocol is this?! We need to prioritize the safety and security of our staff and visitors, not just some bureaucratic checklists.
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