US EditionFederal agents must limit tear gas for now at protests outside Portland ICE building, judge says
The 14-day order limits use of chemical munitions to situations with imminent threats and bans targeting head, neck, or torso unless deadly force is justified, Judge Simon ruled.
- On Feb. 3, 2026, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon temporarily limited federal officers' use of tear gas and projectile munitions outside the Portland ICE building unless the target poses an imminent threat.
- After weekend clashes on Jan. 31 during a Labor Against ICE march, the ACLU of Oregon filed a lawsuit claiming federal agents' tear gas use chilled First Amendment rights of protesters and journalists.
- Court filings show injuries: Laurie Eckman was hit in the head by a pepper ball and journalists Mason Lake and Hugo Rios were struck while marked as press, plaintiffs allege. `In an authoritarian regime, that is not the case` — Judge Simon.
- The temporary restraining order lasts 14 days and Judge Simon scheduled a March 2, 2026, hearing where plaintiffs can seek a preliminary injunction.
- Nationally, other courts have scrutinized federal agents' crowd-control tactics, with DOJ attorneys defending officer policies while Oregon congressional Democrats urged DHS withdrawal and Portland city officials enforce landlord fines since Jan. 1.
114 Articles
114 Articles
The spokesman-Review
Federal judge restricts agents’ use of tear gas, munitions against crowds at Portland ICE facility
Federal agents at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland are temporarily barred from deploying less-lethal munitions and chemicals at protesters unless the agents are in “imminent threat of physical harm,” a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
Judge restricts federal agents from using tear gas, projectile munitions at Portland immigration protests
The ruling comes just days after federal agents launched tear gas at a crowd of demonstrators, including young children, that local officials described as peaceful.
Portland protests after Alex Pretti murder, ICE uses flashbangs and gas on crowds
Portland, OR – On February 1, over 1000 Portlanders protested outside of Portland City Hall to stand against the killing of Alex Pretti, Renee Good and all those murdered by ICE, and to demand city government revoke the permit for the Portland ICE facility. The protest, organized by Portland Contra Las Deportaciones marched two miles from city hall to the Portland ICE facility. Speaker Holly Brown called out Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and city …
ICE blocked from unleashing brutal tactics in stark ruling: 'Nation is at a crossroads'
A federal court judge Tuesday ruled to block federal immigration agents from using aggressive tactics against protesters and journalists. In a case filed by several plaintiffs, including "the Portland Chicken," journalists, veterans, and an elderly couple, federal officers were accused of using viol...
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