Overview
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has operated a field office in South Waterfront since 2011. The facility includes a processing center where federal officers detain and interview people to determine their legal status as U.S. residents. It also includes offices where immigrants meet with ICE officials as they move through the citizenship process.
Protests
The ICE facility became the focus of public demonstrations in 2025 as people expressed concern about federal immigration enforcement actions and President Trump's threat to deploy the National Guard. The City of Portland has publicly opposed the use of excessive force by federal agents and the broader enforcement approach of the Trump Administration, emphasizing that all people — including those impacted by immigration actions and those who peacefully protest — deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. Find updates about protests at the ICE facility.
Who guards the facility?
The ICE facility is guarded by officers of the Federal Protective Service, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security.
The ICE facility is not guarded by the Portland Police, but Portland police officers are sometimes stationed on the streets nearby to maintain public safety.
Land use violations
The City of Portland granted a land use approval (sometimes mistakenly called a "permit") for the ICE facility in 2011. One of the conditions of the land use approval is that ICE may not detain anyone there for more than 12 hours, nor hold anyone there overnight. In September 2025, after conducting an investigation, the City found that ICE had violated these conditions. Learn more about land use violations at the ICE facility.
Tear gas and chemical munitions
City leaders are concerned about the use of chemical munitions against protesters. Here are the steps we're taking to reduce use and impact. Learn more about the use of tear gas and chemical munitions at the ICE facility.
Report problems related to the ICE facility
Have you experienced or witnessed other problems at the ICE facility? Report other problems near the ICE facility.