NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF ARTICLE
A federal ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, came under siege Friday night as hundreds of protesters escalated a weeks-long occupation into full-blown confrontation with law enforcement.
According to federal officials, the crowd attempted to breach secured detention areas inside the facility, triggering a rapid law enforcement response. Tear gas, smoke bombs, and rubber bullets were deployed to push demonstrators back after the event was declared an unlawful assembly.
The siege marked the 28th consecutive day of protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies—and came just hours after he signed a $150 billion immigration bill into law.
Protesters Attempt to Breach Federal Cells
Video footage captured by independent journalist Katie Daviscourt shows the facility surrounded by chaos—flares in the sky, demonstrators chanting, and federal agents in riot gear securing the perimeter.
Multiple arrests were made as federal agents attempted to restore order, but protesters continued to rally near the gates well into the early morning hours.
A large banner reading “Free Moises” was eventually draped across the outer fence—referencing a vineyard worker whose arrest helped ignite the current wave of demonstrations.
Who Is Moises Sotelo?
Moises Sotelo, 54, was arrested Thursday morning by ICE agents near a Portland church. His daughter, Alondra Sotelo-Garcia, later confirmed she located him using a tracking app, discovering he’d been transferred from Portland to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.
“I just saw my dad chained at his feet,” Alondra said in an emotional interview, describing her father as a hardworking man and proud grandfather. His immigration status was not disclosed.
“When it happens to you, it’s a whole different feeling… you enter into panic,” she said. “Just for being brown, even if you’re a citizen, you’re still at risk.”
Resistance Builds Across Oregon
Protesters gathered earlier in the day at Pioneer Courthouse Square for a symbolic “die-in,” lying motionless in protest of Trump’s new immigration law—which includes sweeping cuts to domestic programs like Medicaid.
“They don’t need more money, and they’re taking money away from things we really actually need,” one protester told KOIN 6 News. Another added: “The best thing we can do as the people is keep fighting.”
U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas confirmed that two vineyard workers were detained in nearby Newberg, raising alarms across Oregon’s Latino communities.
“As a part of my Congressional duty, I am meeting with ICE to ensure they maintain the right to due process for all detained individuals,” Salinas said.
Federal Crackdown Continues
Friday’s unrest comes on the heels of President Trump signing a historic $150 billion immigration and border security bill—part of his “One Big Beautiful Bill” initiative.
The measure dramatically expands ICE operations, funds new detention centers, and ramps up deportation efforts. It also includes provisions for additional military personnel to assist in administrative roles within ICE.
The new law is facing mounting criticism from progressives, with many calling it the most expansive immigration crackdown in U.S. history.
As of Saturday, law enforcement in Portland and Tacoma remained on high alert. ICE has not released a formal statement regarding the riot or Sotelo’s status.
Meanwhile, a caravan of demonstrators has left Portland for Tacoma in a show of support for detainees transferred from the overrun facility.
Trump’s administration continues to stand firm, insisting that the enforcement surge is necessary to restore order, uphold the law, and protect American citizens.
https://twitter.com/KatieDaviscourt/status/1941385431649845414
