Federal Court Tightens Limits on Tear Gas Use During Portland Protests

New ruling sharply restricts when officers can use tear gas and impact munitions at Portland's ICE facility

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new federal court order has sharply limited when officers can use tear gas and other chemical munitions around Portland's ICE building, specifically to protect residents of the nearby Gray's Landing apartments. The temporary injunction now allows such weapons only when there is an imminent threat to life, after the court found federal agencies showed 'deliberate indifference' to health impacts during immigration-related protests.

Why it matters

The new federal court order is a significant development in the ongoing debate over the use of tear gas and other crowd control tactics by law enforcement during protests in Portland. It could reshape how demonstrations in the city are policed while broader civil rights cases move forward, and highlights concerns from nearby residents about the health impacts of these weapons.

The details

The court order follows lawsuits from nearby residents, protesters, and journalists, who argued that federal agencies like ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have used tear gas and other 'chemical munitions' indiscriminately and without regard for the health of those in the surrounding area. The ruling requires officers to have an 'immediate threat of physical harm' before deploying such weapons, a higher bar than previous policies.

  • The new federal court order was issued on March 8, 2026.

The players

Gray's Landing Apartments

A residential building located near the Portland ICE facility, whose residents were a key part of the lawsuit leading to the new court order.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency whose Portland facility has been the site of numerous protests, leading to the use of tear gas and other crowd control tactics by law enforcement.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that oversees ICE and was also named in the lawsuits over the use of tear gas during Portland protests.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.