Portland Streets Gridlocked as Hundreds March Against ICE, Clash with Federal Agents
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Portland on Sunday, staging a march from City Hall to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in the South Waterfront district. The protest, organized by immigrant rights groups, disrupted traffic and escalated into a clash with federal agents guarding the facility.
The rally began at City Hall, where members of Portland Contra Las Deportaciones voiced their opposition to ICE's presence and operations. "The community's outrage is palpable," said Cami Saunders, a spokesperson for the group. "There are clear, alternative paths our leaders could be taking that don't involve the fear and separation ICE brings to our neighborhoods." Protesters carried signs referencing the January deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, linking their cases to broader calls for accountability in federal immigration enforcement.
The situation intensified as the march reached the ICE field office, a location used by the agency since 2011. Video footage from the scene showed Federal Protective Service officers deploying tear gas and less-lethal projectiles against protesters gathered outside the entrance. One protester, identified only as Robin, described the scene as chaotic. "It felt like we were under attack. They came out with guns and started throwing [flashbangs] at the crowd—it was like a war zone," she told local media, adding that she was hit and had to douse her face with water.
The response drew sharp criticism from Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. In a statement posted on social media, she condemned the "horrific abuse of authority," stating that "the use of tear gas against families, children, and peaceful demonstrators... undermines public safety and violates constitutional rights." Governor Kotek reiterated her longstanding position that ICE has "no place in Oregon."
The facility in question serves as both a processing center for detainees and an office for immigration procedures. Security is handled by the Federal Protective Service, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, with Portland Police typically monitoring the perimeter. Sunday's events underscore the ongoing, volatile debate over federal immigration policy and its enforcement in jurisdictions that have declared themselves sanctuary cities.
Voices from the Community
Marcus Chen, 42, Local Business Owner: "While I support the right to protest, the complete shutdown of streets hurts small businesses already struggling. The message is important, but the method needs to consider the wider community impact."
Dr. Elena Rodriguez, 58, Sociology Professor at Portland State University: "This is a direct response to a perceived lack of democratic accountability in immigration enforcement. The confrontation reflects a deep-seated frustration with policies that communities feel are imposed upon them without consent."
Jamal "Jax" Perkins, 29, Community Organizer: "Peaceful protest? They gassed us. The governor says ICE has no place here, yet they're still terrorizing our streets. This isn't just policy—it's violence. Until every cage is empty, the streets will never be quiet."
Susan Gregg, 67, Retired Nurse: "The footage of gas being used is disturbing. There must be a way to ensure public safety without escalating to that level. Both sides need to de-escalate for the sake of everyone involved."