Oregon Lawsuit Demands Federal Agents Stop Using Chemical Munitions Against Portland Protesters and Residents
Portland residents filed a lawsuit on Friday, demanding that federal agents stop using chemical munitions like tear gas and pepper balls.
Their legal action follows the Oregon Department of Justice (ODOJ) demand that federal agents stop using tactics it describes as reckless and unlawful in Oregon.
Portland Residents Sue Federal Government Over Chemical Munitions
Portland residents and a housing nonprofit that manages an affordable housing complex, Gray’s Landing, across the street from Portland’s ICE filed a lawsuit Friday against DHS, claiming agents have endangered residents without reason.
Source: KATU Gray’s Landing lawsuit coverage, KPTV report, Oregon DOJ and DAs joint letter dated Nov 24 2025
Dailytidings.com
Lawsuits are now being filed roughly six months after protests over ICE activity in the area began. After President Donald Trump mobilized the National Guard earlier this year, the demonstrations grew larger, and ICE retaliation became more volatile. But residents say there was no riotous activity.
REACH Community Development filed a suit demanding that federal agents stop using tactics they describe as reckless and unlawful in Oregon. Home to low-income seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and families with children, Gray’s Landing residents are psychologically and physically affected by ICE agents’ use of the munitions, according to the lawsuit.
Residents said DHS used chemical munitions at times not to address real danger, but to put on a show for conservative “influencers” they invited to the ICE facility to film the protests for propaganda purposes.
To protect residents’ health, REACH installed air purifiers throughout the complex. Despite this, in the lawsuit, residents Susan Dooley, a 72-year-old Air Force veteran, and Mindy King, who lives at Gray’s Landing with her son, both said tear gas seeped into their apartment several times.
The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Oregon (Portland Division), and, claiming their rights had been violated, the residents asked for an order:
- Declaring that DHS’s use of tear gas, smoke grenades, and other chemical munitions violates their rights under the Fifth Amendment or Fourth Amendment;
- Enjoin the defendants from deploying tear gas, smoke grenades, and other chemical munitions likely to infiltrate Gray’s Landing, unless it’s necessary to protect against an imminent and concrete threat to the lives of federal officers or other persons;
- Legal costs
Oregon DOJ Demands Federal Agents Cease ‘Reckless’ Tactics
Last month, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and three district attorneys put federal officers on notice in a letter to US Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding that federal agents stop using what they called ‘reckless and unlawful tactics’ while operating in Oregon.
| Requested action | What it targets |
|---|---|
| Cease unlawful and unconstitutional actions | Stops excessive force and improper arrests |
| Provide appropriate training | Better standards for officer conduct in Oregon |
| Maintain communication with local law enforcement | Safety coordination during ICE facility protests |
| Investigate credible accusations internally | Federal misconduct review and discipline |
| Cooperate with state investigations | Accountability if Oregon laws were violated |
The letter warns that the ODOJ and the three District Attorney’s Offices are actively monitoring federal conduct and confirms that they intend to investigate any case in which a federal officer appears to be acting outside the reasonable scope of their duties. It also called for the federal agencies to
- halt unlawful actions
- and take other actions in the interests of residents’ safety.