Portland Mayor Demands ICE Withdrawal After Use of Tear Gas on Protesters
PORTLAND, Ore. — In a forceful rebuke following weekend protests, Portland’s Mayor Keith Wilson has called for the immediate departure of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the city after federal agents used tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets against demonstrators, including children. The incident occurred outside an ICE facility where a largely peaceful crowd had gathered to protest the agency’s presence and policies.
Mayor Wilson described the demonstration as peaceful and condemned the federal agents’ response as an unjustified escalation. “Today, federal forces deployed heavy waves of chemical munitions, impacting a peaceful daytime protest where the vast majority of those present violated no laws, made no threat, and posed no danger to federal forces,” Wilson said in a statement issued Saturday. He further denounced the “use of violence” and the “trampling of the Constitution” by ICE personnel.
The mayor’s demand that ICE leave Portland comes amid growing tensions between local governments and federal immigration authorities. Wilson urged ICE agents to resign, stating, “To those who continue to work for ICE: Resign.” His call reflects a broader national debate over the role of federal immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities.
Federal agents reportedly employed tear gas, pepper balls, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, some of whom were children, according to eyewitness accounts. The use of such chemical munitions against civilians has drawn widespread criticism from civil rights groups and local officials alike.
Portland’s situation echoes similar confrontations in other U.S. cities where federal law enforcement presence has sparked protests. For example, Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson recently issued an executive order putting ICE “on notice” and seeking prosecution of agents for alleged misconduct, highlighting a growing pattern of municipal resistance to federal immigration enforcement tactics.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, has faced criticism for aggressive enforcement actions in sanctuary jurisdictions. These cities often adopt policies limiting cooperation with ICE to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Local law enforcement agencies have sometimes pushed back against federal involvement, emphasizing community trust and public safety concerns. The American Civil Liberties Union has also condemned the use of force against protesters, calling for accountability and respect for constitutional rights.
As tensions escalate, Portland’s mayor has positioned himself firmly against ICE’s presence, framing the agency’s actions as “sickening decisions” that undermine civil liberties. The mayor’s statement adds to the ongoing discourse about immigration enforcement, federal authority, and local governance.
With protests continuing and federal agents maintaining a presence, the situation in Portland remains volatile. The city’s demand for ICE’s withdrawal underscores the challenges faced by sanctuary cities navigating the complex interplay between federal immigration policies and local priorities.
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