Federal Officers Deploy Tear Gas, Arrest Protesters at Portland ICE Facility
Federal officers used tear gas and made multiple arrests during a protest at the Portland ICE facility, following a march from Elizabeth Caruthers Park.
Hundreds of protesters marched from Elizabeth Caruthers Park to the Portland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Facility on Saturday afternoon. Upon arrival, they blocked the road in front of the building. Federal law enforcement officers emerged from the facility and deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd. Multiple protesters standing on the sidewalk outside the entrance were arrested.
John Jolley, a participant in the protest, expressed concern about the potential impact on the city, stating he did not want a repeat of past events. Steve Hall, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer, commented on the presence of National Guard troops, asserting that local police are sufficient to handle the situation.
Brittanee Carr of Milwaukie attended the protest with her five-year-old daughter, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest and standing up for one's beliefs.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) continues to monitor protests near the ICE facility. An Incident Command Team has been activated, managing resources including Dialogue Liaison Officers and the Rapid Response Team. The PPB has made arrests related to physical altercations observed at or near the protest.
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science, a K-8 charter school adjacent to the ICE facility, has expressed concern over the use of chemical munitions in proximity to their campus. The school announced plans to relocate temporarily for the 2025-26 school year to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
Protests at the Portland ICE facility have been ongoing, with demonstrators calling for the city to revoke the facility's permit. Concerns have been raised about the facility's compliance with its conditional use permit, particularly regarding the duration of detainee stays.
The Portland City Council is reviewing legal options to address these issues, with councilors promising to pursue all possible paths to remove ICE from the South Waterfront facility.
The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing demonstrations and discussions among city officials, federal agencies, and community members.
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