Judge Extends Restrictions on Federal Agents’ Use of Tear Gas at Portland ICE Building

The judge said federal agents can use pepper spray only when the person engages in violent, unlawful conduct and actively resists arrest.

Federal agents deploy tear gas and flash bangs at protesters in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Ore., on Jan. 31, 2026. Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP

A federal judge on March 9 extended restrictions on the use of crowd control tools by federal agents against protesters outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland, Oregon.

U.S. District Judge Michael Simon issued a temporary restraining order last month after a group of protesters and journalists filed a lawsuit alleging that federal agents used excessive force against them during protests outside the ICE building.