ICE Occupiers Ordered To Vacate Federal Property

PORTLAND, OR — Federal authorities on Monday issued a notice to the protesters camped out in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office that they need to vacate the property or face arrest.

After days of protests, so-called Occupy ICE PDX demonstrators began setting up tents and blockades near 4310 S.W. Macadam Ave. in southwest Portland on June 17.

What started as just a few people protesting the federal policy to separate children from their parents at the U.S. border grew into a much larger throng throughout the week, with as many as 50 tents reportedly staked outside the ICE facility by June 25.

Around 10:30 a.m. Monday, officers from the Federal Protective Service (FPS) handed out flyers ordering protesters to decamp and vacate the premises.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working with FPS and ICE to reopen the federal building on Southwest Macadam that serves many critical functions requiring public and employee access," Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, said in a statement. "We acknowledge the community’s concerns driving these demonstrations. While demonstrators have a lawful right to assemble and voice their concerns, blocking the building’s driveways or entrances is not permitted under federal law."

Specifically, the notice cites 41 C.F.R. § 102-74.390 and § 102-74.450, which prohibits obstructing the entrances, foyers, lobbies, corridors, offices and parking lots of federal facilities, district attorney officials said.

At 3:30 a.m. Monday, FPS and ICE officers reportedly entered the facility to "secure government property." It's unclear what specifically they were securing.

Reporters with KATU News spoke with Occupy ICE PDX protesters after they received their notices:

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