(ALBANY PARK, CHICAGO) Illinois State Rep. Hoan Huynh (D-Chicago) alleges that a Customs and Border Protection agent pointed a firearm at him and a staff member while they were warning residents about possible immigration raids in Albany Park on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The encounter, which Huynh says unfolded near Montrose and Kimball, has drawn swift attention from local media and advocacy groups and renewed questions about how federal enforcement interacts with community outreach in Chicago.
As of Wednesday, October 22, 2025, CBP had issued no public statement about the incident.
What Huynh says happened
Huynh said he and a staffer were visiting local businesses and residents to share information about rights during enforcement activity when they heard that CBP agents were nearby. They drove to the intersection where he says they encountered at least three agents positioned around their car, with additional agents in vehicles in front and behind.
According to Huynh:
- Agents rolled down their windows.
- One agent had a gun pointed in their direction before Huynh identified himself as a state representative.
- He has posted video footage of the encounter online and has called for accountability.
The agents involved were described as CBP personnel. While members of the public often refer to CBP field agents as Border Patrol, Huynh’s public statements identify them more generally as CBP agents. The agency did not respond to questions about the status of the officers on scene, whether they were engaged in active operations, or whether they have been placed under review. No injuries were reported.
Allegation and timeline
- Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- Time/Place: Afternoon/early evening near Montrose and Kimball in Albany Park
- Individuals: State Rep. Hoan Huynh and a staff member; at least six CBP agents
- Core allegation: An agent pointed a gun at Huynh and his staffer during a traffic-side encounter tied to warnings about immigration raids
- Evidence cited: Video footage shared by Huynh
- Agency response: No CBP statement as of October 22, 2025
Huynh says he approached the area after receiving reports of immigration enforcement activity and was focused on alerting residents and shop owners to their rights if agents came to homes or workplaces. His office has not described any arrests or detentions connected to the incident and has instead focused on the moment he says a firearm was aimed at him and his staffer.
The video Huynh shared does not capture every angle of the encounter but has helped drive calls for further inquiry.
Community response and concerns
News of the exchange spread quickly through Albany Park, a neighborhood known for its immigrant-owned small businesses and multilingual street life. Huynh’s account has resonated with residents who have watched past operations with caution, raising sensitive questions about how elected officials can safely conduct outreach during enforcement actions.
Advocates and community groups have made several requests and observations:
- Transparency about the agents’ conduct and the reason for their presence at that intersection.
- Clarification on whether there was an active operation underway and what rules governed the agents’ approach to a parked vehicle carrying an elected official and staffer.
- Preservation of evidence such as officer body camera footage, dashboard video, and radio logs.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, incidents like this often amplify existing tensions between federal enforcement and local leaders who focus on community education during immigration raids.
Huynh framed the encounter as a warning sign about how information-sharing can collide with federal actions on city streets. He argued that public officials, staffers, and volunteers need to be able to provide basic “know your rights” guidance without confrontation. He encouraged oversight bodies to review:
- Vehicle positioning
- Agent posture at the windows
- Use or display of a firearm in a densely populated area
Local impacts and reactions
In Albany Park, talk of raids affects daily life:
- Shopkeepers worry about customers staying away.
- Families worry about school pickups and drop-offs.
- Workers weigh whether to show identification if officers appear.
When an elected official says a gun was aimed at him while he was providing information, community members say the message carries extra weight. Several residents stressed that restraint matters for both public officials and federal agents, because fear can escalate a routine check into something far more dangerous.
Local reactions include:
- Parents wanting children to feel safe walking to after-school programs.
- Shop owners wanting steady foot traffic and less fear.
- Service groups continuing rights outreach while reassessing safety steps for volunteers if enforcement vehicles appear without warning.
Investigations, legal steps, and outstanding questions
Huynh’s office has not outlined a formal complaint process or legal step at this stage, and there is no record of a court filing tied to this incident. He has kept the focus on the central claim: an agent pointing a weapon in a neighborhood setting during community outreach.
Open questions that remain:
- Were the agents engaged in an active operation?
- Did command protocols guide the agents’ vehicle positioning and approach?
- Did agents view the car as a potential threat, and if so, why?
- Has any internal review been initiated?
CBP has not commented on the specific claims or confirmed any internal review. The agency’s public website offers basic information about its mission and operations; readers can consult U.S. Customs and Border Protection for official materials.
With no agency response, the public currently has only the video segments and Huynh’s account to assess the scene.
Practical advice for residents (context from Huynh’s outreach)
Huynh said his outreach aimed to answer common resident questions if agents arrive at homes or approach vehicles. Typical concerns include:
- Whether residents must open the door
- Whether documents must be shown
- What to do if officers approach a vehicle
His office encouraged anyone present during the encounter to share recordings with them.
Current status and next steps
- Huynh continues to speak publicly and has urged CBP to address the video and explain the agents’ actions.
- Community groups and advocates are calling for preservation of evidence and a transparent review.
- Absent a CBP statement, the allegation that a gun was pointed at a state lawmaker during neighborhood outreach remains the central claim.
Albany Park residents say they hope for calm and clarity as the story develops, and local groups plan to keep sharing rights information while reassessing volunteer safety when enforcement vehicles appear.
This Article in a Nutshell
Illinois State Rep. Hoan Huynh alleges that on Oct. 21, 2025, CBP agents confronted him and a staffer near Montrose and Kimball in Albany Park while they were warning residents about potential immigration raids. Huynh says at least six agents surrounded their vehicle and that one agent pointed a firearm before he identified himself; he posted video of the encounter. CBP had not issued a public statement by Oct. 22. Community advocates demand preservation of bodycam, dashcam and radio logs and a transparent inquiry. No injuries were reported, and key questions remain about whether an active operation was underway and whether internal reviews have begun.
