Portland ICE facility opens its doors for a look inside after months of protests
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A federal immigration office in Portland, long at the center of protests and controversy, opened its doors to local media this week after months of restricted access.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland’s South Waterfront area has drawn demonstrations for months, with protesters often gathering outside and sometimes clashing with federal officers assigned to secure the site.
For the first time, cameras were allowed inside following repeated requests from Oregon journalists. The tour revealed how federal officers have used parts of the building to monitor crowds and respond to unrest.
From an upper-level window, officers have accessed the roof — a vantage point previously used to fire pepper balls and other crowd-control devices during tense demonstrations. Plywood coverings and floodlights now line sections of the rooftop, shielding windows and illuminating the street below during protests.
Inside, the facility functions primarily as an office for investigations and immigration enforcement. It also serves as a check-in and processing center for people navigating the citizenship process or facing immigration-related allegations.
The ICE building sits amid newly developed high-rise apartments and condos along the riverfront — a sharp contrast between a federal enforcement site and one of Portland’s most sought-after urban neighborhoods.
