Demonstrators gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland on Sunday clashed with federal agents in a protest against the Trump administration’s agenda.
Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security and the Portland Police Bureau for comment via email outside office hours.
Why It Matters
The protests come amid growing tensions between Portland and the federal government over immigration enforcement and the use of federal forces in U.S. cities. President Donald Trump has announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Portland to support ICE operations and protect federal buildings, making the city the latest target in his broader strategy to send federalized forces to Democratic-led jurisdictions.
However, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the deployment, ruling that the president appeared to have “exceeded his constitutional authority.” The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has since stayed parts of that ruling, allowing the administration to continue the process of federalizing the Oregon National Guard but maintaining a ban on deploying those troops into Portland.
What To Know
The protest began in the South Waterfront area, where activists calling for the abolition of ICE and denouncing recent federal actions have held near-nightly demonstrations since the summer.
Footage on social media shows federal officers detaining individuals outside the ICE facility in Portland, with some tackled into the mud as they resisted, though the exact number of arrests has not been confirmed.
The Portland Police Bureau said it has made 49 arrests in the South Waterfront area since nightly protests began in early June.
In a news release published on October 12, the bureau said it had made no arrests that day. Authorities previously told Newsweek that there had been near-daily protests outside the facility in opposition to the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week that the administration intended to “double down” on enforcement and expand its federal footprint in Portland by purchasing additional properties for ICE and related agencies.
The pending appeals court decision is expected to shape how far the federal government can go in asserting control over local law enforcement in politically resistant cities.
What People Are Saying
Jorge Ventura, a national correspondent for NewsNation, wrote on X: “More arrests going down outside the ICE Facility here in Portland, we’ve already seen several arrests and is still early in the day.”
The Portland Police Bureau said in a news release: “PPB does not engage in immigration enforcement as outlined in PPB Directive 810.10, but is still responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing state laws.”
What Happens Next
Demonstrations outside the immigration facility are expected to continue as the court proceedings move forward.
