Law enforcement officials reportedly used rubber bullets in response to “rioters”
Police clashed with protesters outside of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Portland, Oregon, on Friday, local channel KOIN 6 News has reported.
The detention center has been the focal point of unrest for weeks.
In videos released by independent journalist Katie Daviscourt, who was at the scene, police could be seen using tear gas grenades, as well as what appeared to be paintball and rubber bullets against the crowd. The protesters were seen wearing gas masks and bicycle helmets as they engaged with police.
“Portland descends into a war zone as federal police disperse Antifa rioters outside the ICE facility,” Daviscourt wrote on Friday.
The protesters attempted to commit an arson attack at the detention center, prompting law enforcement to rush to the area, she wrote.
Now — Antifa committed an arson attack at the ICE facility in Portland, prompting federal police to rush out of the facility to make arrests. pic.twitter.com/gPxzJ1X1FQ
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) July 5, 2025
On Monday, the US Attorney’s Office announced that it had charged four people in connection with earlier incidents during the ongoing protests at the Portland ICE facility. One of the defendants was charged with arson.
US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stressed that the Justice Department is keeping a close eye on the unrest.
“We are closely monitoring the attacks on DHS detention facilities in Prairieland, TX, and Portland, OR,” he wrote on X on Saturday. “The Department has zero tolerance for assaults on federal officers or property and will bring the full weight of the law against those responsible.”
The signing of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ sparked new protests in several parts across the country, including the Pacific Northwest, which come in addition to the ongoing unrest over immigration raids.
The legislation allocates some $100 billion to the ICE. Tens of billions of dollars are earmarked for detention facilities, deportation operations, and the completion of Trump’s border wall with Mexico.
