Portland ICE Facility Faces Over 90 Days of Protests, Federal Protective Service Details Defensive Operations

Portland, Oregon – A recent report from journalist Katie Daviscourt has offered an inside perspective on the operations of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service (FPS) at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland. The report comes amidst a prolonged period of anti-ICE demonstrations, which have seen protesters "lay siege to the ICE facility for more than 90 consecutive days," according to Daviscourt's social media post. This extensive protest activity echoes the significant unrest experienced in Portland during 2020, when demonstrations around federal buildings, including the ICE facility, lasted over 100 days.

The Federal Protective Service, a component of the Department of Homeland Security, is tasked with protecting federal buildings and property. Daviscourt's account highlights the officers who "stand as our nation's first line of defense in protecting our federal buildings," emphasizing their role in maintaining security during persistent public demonstrations. During the intense 2020 protests, federal officers, including FPS personnel, were deployed to safeguard federal assets, leading to numerous clashes with demonstrators and significant local and national attention.

The prolonged protests at the facility have had tangible impacts on the surrounding community. In August 2025, a K-8 school adjacent to the ICE facility announced an immediate move, citing health and safety concerns due to federal agents' frequent use of tear gas and other crowd control munitions against protesters. Local officials have also expressed ongoing concerns about federal intervention and the methods used to disperse demonstrations, seeking to avoid a repeat of the widespread unrest and confrontations seen in 2020.

While recent anti-ICE protests in Portland, including those in 2025, have been largely peaceful compared to the intensity of 2020, the federal presence and the potential for escalation remain a sensitive topic. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between federal enforcement priorities and local community concerns regarding immigration policies and protest responses. The FPS continues its mandate to protect federal property, navigating a complex environment shaped by years of sustained activism.