Aggressive ICE Tactics Forged Along Southern Border

The convergence of two agencies is redefining immigration enforcement inside the US.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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During the 2020 George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon, Mark Pettibone was swept off the street into an unmarked minivan by people in camouflage and tactical gear. He was taken to a federal facility, arrested, processed, and then released without paperwork, charges, or explanation. Pettibone later learned he had been detained by Customs and Border Protection officers, highlighting how tactics developed for border enforcement are now being used for immigration enforcement within the United States.

Why it matters

The aggressive tactics used by federal agencies like CBP and ICE, originally developed for border enforcement, are now being deployed in urban areas far from the southern border. This convergence of historically distinct agencies is redefining how immigration law is enforced inside the US, raising concerns about civil liberties and the militarization of domestic law enforcement.

The details

During the 2020 George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon, Mark Pettibone was swept off the street into an unmarked minivan by people in camouflage and tactical gear. He was taken to a federal facility, arrested, processed, and then released without paperwork, charges, or explanation. Pettibone later learned he had been detained by Customs and Border Protection officers, highlighting how tactics developed for border enforcement are now being used for immigration enforcement within the United States.

  • In 2020, during the George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon.

The players

Mark Pettibone

A Portland resident who was detained by CBP officers during the 2020 George Floyd protests.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

A federal law enforcement agency that is part of the Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for border security and immigration enforcement.

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The takeaway

The aggressive tactics used by federal agencies like CBP and ICE, originally developed for border enforcement, are now being deployed in urban areas far from the southern border, raising concerns about civil liberties and the militarization of domestic law enforcement.