Mayor Keith Wilson Demands ICE Vacate City On Feb 2, 2026, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson issued a Saturday‑night proclamation ordering all ICE personnel to resign and the agency to leave the city, accusing the federal presence of violating constitutional rights. He announced a municipal fee that will penalize any detention facility that employs chemical agents such as tear gas. Wilson also urged ICE employees who disagree with the policy to quit voluntarily [1][2].

Federal Agents Use Tear Gas, Pepper Balls, Rubber Bullets During a daytime demonstration near the ICE field office on the South Waterfront, federal officers fired tear‑gas canisters, pepper‑ball launchers and rubber bullets at thousands of marchers, including families with children and wheelchair users. Witness Erin Hoover Barnett described agents as “two guys with rocket launchers” spraying the crowd from about 100 yards away. The Portland Fire Bureau dispatched paramedics to treat exposed individuals, while the Portland Police Bureau monitored the crowd but recorded no arrests [2][1].

City Declares Protest Largely Peaceful, Part of Nationwide Backlash City officials characterized the gathering as overwhelmingly peaceful, noting that the majority of participants broke no laws and posed no threat. The incident joins a wave of protests in cities such as Minneapolis—where agents killed Alex Pretti and Renée Good—and Eugene, where similar tear‑gas tactics were reported. Portland has logged 86 ICE‑related arrests since June, but none occurred on Feb 2 [1][2].

President Trump Calls for Forceful Defense of Federal Property In a Truth Social post on the same day, President Donald Trump instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure ICE and Border Patrol act “very forceful” in protecting federal facilities. He warned that anyone who attacks officers or vehicles would face “equal or greater consequences.” The statement contrasted with Wilson’s demand for ICE’s removal and heightened tensions between local and federal authorities [1][2].