On Monday, March 9, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon issued a preliminary ruling prohibiting federal agents from using tear gas and other crowd control munitions at Portland’s Macadam Avenue ICE facility. The ruling comes after a three-day hearing for the American Civil Liberties Union’s case against DHS officers in Portland.
The case, which set two temporary restraining orders against the use of crowd-control munitions in motion, was originally filed in Nov. 2025, following escalations during the “No Kings” protests. In February, the case was amended with reports from journalists and activists who were present during the Labor Rally on Jan. 31 and the following weekend, where ICE officers allegedly used excessive force against protesters.
During the hearing, ACLU lawyers presented video and photo evidence of the alleged excessive force, helping the Judge’s decision to extend the Feb. 3 TRO, though no end date has been shared by the court.
Andy Lopata • Mar 10, 2026 at 9:55 pm
The judge granted a preliminary injunction which is a little different than a TRO. The preliminary injunction should stay in effect until final judgment in the case (unless otherwise ordered by the court).