Portland protest ruling curbs federal crowd-control for ICE demonstrations

A U.S. district judge in Portland barred DHS agents from firing tear gas or other crowd-control weapons at peaceful protesters and journalists near the city’s ICE facility. Judge Michael Simon said the use of force appeared targeted at dissent and was emboldened by DHS leadership, ordering a 14‑day limit that prohibits chemical or projectile munitions unless there is an imminent threat and bans firing at the head, neck, or torso. The order, which applies to protests around the facility, comes as part of a wave of court limits on DHS tactics in Democratic cities; plaintiffs include the ACLU of Oregon and protest figure known as the “Portland Chicken.”