Overview

• An emergency press conference at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Friday night followed reports of increased federal agents at the ICE facility south of downtown Portland.
• Mayor Keith Wilson said the city did not request the deployment, calling the influx a “big show” and telling federal officials to “take a hike” if they were not there to help.
• U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, who toured the facility Thursday with other Democrats, accused the White House of trying to “induce a violent incident” and urged Portlanders “not to take the bait.”
• Oregon lawmakers recently raised concerns about alleged mistreatment of detainees at the site and challenged the administration’s claim that the facility complies with a 2011 land‑use approval.
• Wilson said armored vehicles and additional agents were seen in the city, and local outlets reported immigration officials had not yet responded to requests for comment as some protesters briefly disrupted the event.