NOTE: VIDEOS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
Border Czar Tom Homan announced on Tuesday that he plans to travel to Portland, Oregon, to respond to the ongoing occupation and unrest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland. This occupation, led by Antifa protesters, has now lasted over 30 consecutive days, characterized by repeated clashes with federal agents and escalating violence.
The standoff began on June 7, 2025, as a protest against the Trump administration’s mass deportation operations. Since then, nightly confrontations have become common, with demonstrators throwing projectiles and engaging in violent acts against both the ICE facility and its personnel. Federal authorities have charged more than 21 individuals with serious crimes, including assault with deadly weapons on federal officers, felony arson, possession of unregistered destructive devices, and destruction of government property.
The Department of Homeland Security reports a staggering nearly 700 percent increase in attacks on ICE agents since President Trump assumed office, highlighting the growing dangers faced by federal law enforcement officials.
In a recent interview on Fox Business, Homan expressed his determination to reinforce ICE’s presence in sanctuary cities like Portland, emphasizing that the agency will continue its mission despite opposition from local officials and activists.
“I’m going to head to Portland. I’m going out there. They’re not going to bully us. We’re going to do the job,” Homan stated firmly.
Homan reiterated his stance on sanctuary city policies, arguing that such policies obstruct ICE’s ability to detain and remove individuals with criminal records. He warned that if ICE cannot arrest suspects in jails, agents will increase worksite enforcement and community-level operations to find and apprehend these individuals.
“So, what you’re going to get, sanctuary cities, is exactly what you don’t want: more agents in your communities and more collateral arrests. That’s what we’re going to do… So, for those who say they’re going to keep ICE out of the city, good luck with that!” he said.
Meanwhile, residents living near the South Portland ICE facility have voiced increasing frustration with the prolonged occupation and associated disturbances. Many, particularly those in low-income and elderly housing nearby, report significant impacts on their sleep and daily lives due to the nightly unrest.
Despite numerous calls to 911, the Portland Police Bureau has refrained from intervening, citing staffing shortages and sanctuary policies that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This reluctance has led some residents to express intent to sue the city for failing to provide adequate protection.
The siege and resistance at the Portland ICE facility symbolize the broader national tension between federal immigration enforcement and local jurisdictions that adopt sanctuary policies. With Homan’s impending visit and vow to “double down and triple down” on sanctuary cities, the conflict is expected to intensify further.
As ICE continues to ramp up its operations in contested cities, the delicate balance between enforcing immigration laws and addressing community concerns remains at the forefront of national debate. Portland’s ongoing crisis serves as a stark example of this conflict’s complex realities on the ground.
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