A union representing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents accused the Portland mayor of violating the Constitution in his enforcement of a policy that ordered police not to respond to calls for help amid recent, often violent protests.
A cease-and-desist letter (pdf) sent on July 30, from the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler blamed the policy for creating a “zone of terror and lawlessness.” It comes after Portland police in Oregon refused to respond to at least two 911 emergency calls from ICE employees who felt threatened from the protests outside their office, according to reports.
“As you are aware, the 14th Amendment forbids the government from denying any person or persons equal protection of the laws,” the letter states. “Your policy of not providing police services to employees of ICE creates a class of people based upon their source of income.”
In June, an Occupy ICE movement began in Portland to protest the family separation of illegal immigrants under a zero tolerance policy. The often violent protesters, composed of Marxists, socialists, Antifa, anarchists, and the homeless, set up a tent outside ICE’s headquarters. At one point they targeted Happy Camper, a food cart right across the street from ICE, which is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization set up to assist homeless people.
