PORTLAND, Ore. — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived in Portland on Tuesday to visit the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building located in the South Waterfront. This site has garnered attention due to ongoing protests in recent months and has become a focal point amid the Trump administration’s efforts to deploy National Guard troops to the city.
KGW has stationed a crew at the scene and plans to provide updates on this developing story. Live footage of Noem’s arrival at the airport is available on KGW’s YouTube page, along with ongoing coverage accessible via the KGW+ TV app or the KGW app.
During her visit, Mayor of Portland, Keith Wilson, issued a statement confirming he met with Noem on the same day to discuss community priorities, federal actions, and public safety in Portland. Wilson expressed ongoing concerns regarding the tactics utilized by federal agents at the ICE facility, labeling them as “troubling and likely unconstitutional.”
In a contrasting statement later aired on Fox News, Noem mentioned she had informed Wilson that she would send “four times” as many federal officers if he failed to enhance security measures for federal agents in the area.
As the day progressed, Portland police announced that road closures around the South Waterfront would persist into the evening, although local businesses and restaurants would remain operational. The police statement did not provide reasons for the continued closures.
Earlier in the afternoon, police confirmed that Noem was in a meeting with Chief Bob Day of the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell, and Oregon State Police Superintendent Casey Codding. This meeting coincided with Noem’s visit to the ICE building, though the details remain unconfirmed by the Portland Police Bureau.
Around the same time, a motorcade believed to be carrying Noem was seen leaving the ICE facility amidst road closures in the area.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a communication specifying that Noem’s visit to Portland involved meetings with law enforcement amidst a surge of federal resources aimed at restoring law and order. The statement included details about ten individuals that ICE had arrested in Portland over the past month, all of whom were in the country illegally and had been taken into custody on criminal charges.
Earlier in the day, around noon, witnesses reported a group of at least a dozen individuals visible on the roof of the ICE building. Although it was unclear if Noem was among them, federal agents had been spotted on the roof throughout the morning. Notably, Noem had visited the rooftop of an ICE facility in Chicago just four days earlier.
Shortly after this observation, conservative influencer Benny Johnson shared a video of Noem speaking with federal agents on the rooftop. Meanwhile, outside the ICE building, a relatively small protest gathering of around 50 to 75 people could be observed. The protests included brief shouting exchanges between demonstrators and counter-protesters, but overall, the situation remained peaceful throughout the morning.
TriMet announced that buses on lines 35 and 40 would be rerouted due to demonstrations near specific intersections in the South Waterfront, leading to skipped stops in the affected area.
By 12:20 p.m., it was confirmed that Noem had indeed arrived at the ICE facility, with reports of her presence coming from conservative influencers who had gained access to the area. Several vehicles indicative of a motorcade were witnessed arriving at the facility around this time.
Earlier, around 12:15 p.m., Oregon Governor Tina Kotek spoke to KGW, emphasizing her conversation with Noem regarding the safety of protesters gathered near the ICE facility. Kotek conveyed her commitment to ensuring the rights and safety of all individuals involved and raised concerns about the potential deployment of tear gas in the vicinity, stressing the need to protect the surrounding neighborhood.
Kotek mentioned that her discussion with Noem lasted approximately 20 minutes and primarily focused on the current situation at the ICE building. The governor noted that she only learned of Noem’s visit early on Tuesday morning, and her staff initially had difficulty confirming the details of the schedule, prompting Kotek to head to the airport for an opportunity to speak with Noem.
In a conversation with a KGW reporter at noon, Noem addressed the purpose behind her visit, stating her intentions to foster peace and secure partnerships that would ensure the safety of federal officers while enforcing U.S. law. When asked if she would be open to speaking with local residents about their perspectives on the situation, Noem emphasized the president’s duty to ensure the safety of all citizens in the nation.
Portland police implemented a one-block radius closure around the ICE facility earlier in the day, affecting both vehicle and foot traffic, and cautioned protesters to maintain distance from the area. By 9:23 a.m., a joint statement from the city of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau acknowledged Noem’s visit. The announcement indicated that police would provide standard support typically extended to dignitaries, ensuring that roads and public spaces remain secure.
In conclusion, this visit from Secretary Noem unfolds against a backdrop of tension characterized by protests and debates over federal law enforcement tactics. As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on establishing a safe environment for both federal officers and local protesters, with community leaders voicing their concerns regarding the balance between maintaining public safety and protecting citizens’ rights.
image source from：kgw
