PORTLAND, Ore. — Immigrant rights activists in Portland gathered for a rally on Saturday before marching to the home of Mayor Keith Wilson, demanding the revocation of the permit for the city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
Organized by Portland Contras Las Deportaciones (PDXCD), the demonstration at Wilshire Park was part of the “ICE OUT! Permit Revocation” initiative, culminating in a march to the mayor’s residence. The group is pushing for the immediate revocation of the permit for the ICE facility located at 4310 Southwest Macadam Avenue.
The protest began at noon on Saturday, April 4, with participants assembling at Wilshire Park. According to reports, one individual was arrested during the event on charges of mischief and trespassing.
More than six months have passed since the city of Portland cited land use violations at the ICE facility on Macadam Avenue, yet PDXCD claims that the city has continued to permit landowner Stuart Lindquist to delay the resolution of these violations through appeals.
The activists have been advocating for a meeting with Mayor Wilson and city council members to discuss the closure of the facility. PDXCD stated, “We met with the mayor in February and experienced an alarming silence, indicating a lack of accountability and a commitment to keeping the ICE facility operational.”
KATU News reached out to the mayor’s office for a comment on the protests. During the rally, a woman reportedly threw a glass object, resembling a vase, onto a nearby home’s balcony, breaking it. Fortunately, police reported no significant damage to residences, though one person sustained minor injuries.
The Portland Police Bureau confirmed the arrest of 20-year-old Mila L. Payne, who is facing charges of third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal trespass. Due to booking restrictions at the Multnomah County Detention Center, she could not be immediately processed, but she must appear in court within 30 days.
In a statement regarding the incident, the police reminded the public that an arrest may not occur on-site during high-tension situations but could still lead to charges later.
PDXCD characterized the facility as a “center of ICE terror in our community,” accusing the city of dragging its feet on both the closure and review of its land-use permit. The group further asserted, “If immigrants in Portland and residents of South Waterfront cannot live peacefully in their homes, then Mayor Wilson cannot expect peace either. We will make it clear that normalcy is not possible while he neglects to safeguard Portland from ICE.”
In December, the city instituted fines for violations deemed a nuisance at or near the detention facility. Mayor Wilson’s office indicated that this decision pertained to ensuring health and safety protections surrounding ICE facilities. Under the new regulations, detention facility owners could face fines of $5,000 for each violation related to prohibited chemicals or hazardous conditions.
The Portland City Council approved these measures in December, with the official announcement made in February. Fines are applicable only to incidents that occurred after February 27, 2026. Property owners have a 15-day window to appeal any citations, and if fines remain unpaid after this period, they will double for each subsequent 15-day interval.
These rules will be enforced for up to 180 days while the city undergoes a permanent rule-making process. PDXCD, a grassroots organization dedicated to immigrant rights, is actively advocating for an end to all deportations.
