Portland, Oregon, announced on Wednesday that it will issue a land use violation notice to the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building. The city claims that the facility repeatedly held people beyond the limits allowed by its land use approval.
Portland Challenges ICE on Detention Violations
The ICE building has had conditional land use approval since 2011. Under these rules, people cannot be held overnight or detained for more than 12 hours. Portland authorities reported that ICE violated this provision 25 times between October 2024 and July 2025.
City officials said that ICE had made commitments to follow detention limits, but the records indicate that these rules were broken multiple times. The investigation by Portland’s permitting bureau was described as thorough and methodical before the city decided to move forward with the violation notice.
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The notice, set to be issued on Thursday, also addresses a second issue regarding boarded-up windows at the building. ICE has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
The city emphasized that issuing a land use violation notice is part of a standard regulatory process to ensure compliance. Landowners have 30 days to correct any issues mentioned in the notice, and a fine can be imposed if there is substantial evidence of violation.
Protests Around Portland ICE Building
The ICE building has been the site of ongoing public protests. Demonstrations peaked in June, with smaller gatherings continuing into the following months. During the day, immigration and legal advocacy groups help people who come to the building. At night, protesters, often dressed in black and wearing helmets or masks, gather outside the facility to raise awareness about detention practices.
These protests have caused some disruption for Portland residents living nearby. While the protests are significant, they are distinct from the large-scale racial justice demonstrations that took place in Portland in 2020. Nonetheless, the events have drawn national attention, including remarks from federal authorities regarding public safety measures.
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Despite public concern about protests, violent crime in Portland has been decreasing. Data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association shows that homicides in the city from January to June 2025 fell by 51% compared to the same period in 2024. The drop in crime highlights that the city’s focus on enforcement is mainly on regulatory compliance rather than responding to increased local violence.
Land Use Investigation and Next Steps
Portland operates under sanctuary policies, which prevent city employees, including police officers, from enforcing federal immigration law. Oregon state law also prohibits local authorities from taking part in immigration enforcement without a warrant. These policies create a unique legal environment for ICE operations in the city.
The permitting bureau began investigating the ICE building in late July after receiving formal complaints from the community. Officials reviewed data provided by ICE to the nonprofit Deportation Data Project through public records requests. This data confirmed the 25 detention violations between October 1, 2024, and July 27, 2025, with the most recent incident on May 20, 2025.
Once a notice of violation is issued, landowners have 30 days to correct any issues. If the city finds “substantial evidence of violation,” fines may follow. Additionally, the permitting bureau can initiate a reconsideration of the land use approval. This involves scheduling a hearing at least 60 days after issuing the notice. Decisions from the hearings officer can then be appealed to the city council.
Portland’s enforcement actions demonstrate the city’s commitment to ensuring that conditional land use regulations are strictly followed. These measures are designed to ensure compliance with the law, protect the rights of those detained, and maintain oversight of facilities operating within the city. The ICE building remains under close observation, and the city continues to follow formal procedures to resolve any violations.
