City of Portland, OR

07/08/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/08/2025 17:07

Update on chemical munitions use near ICE facility

News Article
City leaders are concerned about the use of chemical munitions near the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland. Here are the steps we're taking to reduce use and impact.
Published
July 8, 2025 12:07 pm

The city has received several reports of chemical munitions being used during protests outside the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland.

Mayor Keith Wilson and other city leaders have reaffirmed Portland's commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals to peaceful protest and free speech. While Portland honors the right to peaceful assembly, any acts of violence or property destruction will be met with a measured, decisive response.

Here's what to know.

What munitions have been used around the ICE facility? Who is using them?

The ICE facility is guarded by federal law enforcement officers, not Portland police. The City has received reports of federal officers using chemical munitions against protestors, including pepper balls, pepper spray, and HC smoke (hexachloroethane smoke, also known as smoke grenades).

Three Portland police officers used pepper spray on June 12, but have not otherwise deployed chemical munitions at this location as of the date of this update.

Some protestors appear to have also used chemical restraints, such as over-the-counter pepper spray and possibly bear spray, though we cannot confirm the exact products involved. Additionally, we've observed protestors using commercial-grade fireworks and flares during these events.

The Portland Police Bureau does not engage in immigration enforcement, but is still responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing state laws.

What is the City doing to mitigate the impacts?

Reducing use: The Portland Police Bureau maintains extensive rules aimed at reducing the use of tear gas and pepper spray. The bureau's goals for public protests are to protect First Amendment rights, maintain peace and safety, de-escalate, and follow up. However, Portland police officers have no authority over the lawful actions of federal law enforcement officers.

Preventing Pollution: The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services is responsible for managing the public stormwater system and protecting Portland's rivers, streams, and watersheds. The bureau's primary objective in managing chemical munitions is to prevent debris (such as pepper balls) and pollutants (such as residue from chemical munitions) entering the stormwater system, which could adversely impact Portland's waterways. Recent actions include:

  • June 16: city contractor Rapid Response dry-vacuumed inlets in the area around South Bancroft and South Moody to remove pepper balls and other materials before they could migrate through the stormwater system.
  • June 18: Environmental Services, Rapid Response, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation coordinated to wash the roadway of any residuals and capture the wash water before it moved through the stormwater system.
  • June 19: PBOT installed inlet inserts in select locations to capture any chemical residue before it enters the stormwater system.
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