Federal Agents Launch Tear Gas at Nonviolent Anti-ICE Protesters—Including Children
Sunday, February 1, 2026
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A peaceful protest in Portland, Oregon, turned violent when federal agents launched tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets at demonstrators, including families with young children, outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building.
The protest was part of a "Labor Against ICE" rally, led by labor leaders from over 20 unions, and was held to commemorate Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis ICU nurse killed by ICE agents.
Portland City Councilor Mitch Green was tear-gassed in the crowd and called for the abolition of ICE and DHS, saying "Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must have prosecutions."
The use of tear gas by federal agents may be illegal under Portland's city code, which bans the use of tear gas within city limits, except for state and federal law enforcement in the performance of their official duties - but federal agents are not explicitly exempt.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson released a statement condemning the use of tear gas, saying it was a "peaceful daytime protest" that "posed no danger to federal forces," and called on ICE employees to resign and for the facility to be closed.
The Portland Police Bureau closed a major street to prevent drivers from being affected by the tear gas, while the city plans to impose financial penalties on facilities where chemical agents are deployed under a new ordinance.
The crackdown on protesters in Portland comes after a nationwide uprising with hundreds of demonstrations demanding federal agents leave American towns and cities.
