Oregon Residents Sue DHS Over Tear Gas Deployment Near ICE Facility
Plaintiffs from REACH Community Development and residents of Gray's Landing in Oregon have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent the use of tear gas and crowd-control munitions near their housing complex adjacent to an ICE facility on the Willamette River.
The lawsuit alleges that DHS repeatedly deployed CS gas and pepper balls toward and around the Gray's Landing complex despite the absence of violence or an imminent threat. Residents report suffering acute respiratory distress, ocular burning, and PTSD linked to these enforcement actions.
The legal action seeks a court order to ban the use of CS gas and similar munitions unless they are necessary to protect against an imminent, concrete threat to lives.
The lawsuit is supported by Democracy Forward and Protect Democracy, with attorney Daniel Jacobson representing the plaintiffs. REACH CEO Margaret Salazar commented on the residents' exposure to tear gas amid ongoing tensions.
This lawsuit arises amid months of clashes outside the ICE facility near Interstate 5 in Portland, reflecting broader conflicts between federal enforcement and local communities.
