City officials in Portland are voicing strong criticism against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a troubling incident involving the use of chemical munitions in residential neighborhoods. This event occurred during the arrest of Erik Téllez on December 11, 2023.
Incident Overview
During the arrest, ICE agents deployed pepper balls in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland. This operation unfolded while Téllez was transporting his two children, aged 17 and 15, to school.
Community Response
- Local officials, including Mayor Keith Wilson, condemned the tactics used by ICE.
- They described the actions as “unjustified, disruptive, and escalatory.”
- Council members Sameer Kanal, Dan Ryan, and Elana Pirtle-Guiney echoed these sentiments, stressing the need to uphold public trust.
Neighborhood resident Jaslyn Cincotta witnessed the chaotic scene. According to her account, multiple SUVs from ICE approached rapidly, leading to onlookers confronting the agents.
Use of Chemical Munitions
Cincotta reported that federal officers initially fired pepper balls at the feet of those confronting them. This led to a cloud of pepper spray engulfing the street, causing distress among residents.
First Documented Use
This incident marks the first documented occasion of federal officers using pepper balls during an apprehension, a tactic previously seen mainly at protests against ICE.
City Officials’ Actions
In light of this event, city officials are considering new measures to prevent the future use of such chemical munitions on city streets. Despite prior attempts to creatively address immigration enforcement policies, such strategies remain uncertain.
- Recent council actions include imposing fines on landlords renting properties for detention facilities.
Seeking Accountability
Despite the uproar, representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have not publicly commented on the incident. The city officials are now faced with the challenge of ensuring community safety while addressing federal enforcement measures.
