Part 11/13:
Portland law enforcement's response—or lack thereof—adds another layer of controversy. The police, especially given directives from city leadership, have been accused of inaction or omission, allowing violence and vandalism at the ICE facility and surrounding areas to persist. Federal immigration officers describe nightly attacks on their facilities with little help from local police, citing political restrictions and local officials' stance against ICE operations.
Indeed, the scene is characterized by a disconnect: activists and protesters operate with tacit or explicit approval from local authorities, while federal agencies struggle to enforce immigration laws amid a hostile political environment.