Portland police order anti-ICE protesters’ to clear tents

Portland police officers broke up a protest encampment outside the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building Saturday night, ordering the immediate removal of tents and supplies that had fully blocked sidewalks.

The operation began at 8:30 p.m. in the rain when roughly 30 officers arrived and directed demonstrators to clear a pedestrian path. 

Protesters, many of whom have maintained a long-term presence near the ICE office, shouted that the police were siding with federal immigration authorities. 

Officers said that they were enforcing city ordinances and not federal directives.

The tense encounter marked one of the city’s most visible efforts in recent months to reassert control over public spaces. 

Police officials said they plan to step up enforcement of so-called “quality of life” violations such as blocking sidewalks, public drinking or drug use, and jaywalking—in the coming days.