Independent Review Ordered After ICE Deployed Tear Gas in Salem
Federal immigration agents deployed tear gas, pepper spray, pepper balls, and smoke canisters after approximately 30 people surrounded their vehicles in a Salem, Oregon strip mall, leading to an independent review by state and federal authorities, according to reports published by KOIN. Salem police received calls at around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday regarding the confrontation, alongside multiple 911 calls from individuals reporting symptoms consistent with tear gas exposure.
Salem Police Response and Witness Accounts of the Strip Mall Confrontation
The incident began when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents requested assistance from local police, stating that a crowd had blocked their vehicles inside a commercial parking lot. Witnesses on the scene described a chaotic escalation involving civilians and federal personnel. Marta Vitela recounted to KOIN that agents broke the window of a vehicle containing a woman and sprayed inside the cabin from both sides, leaving the occupant in severe pain and unable to see. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas released a statement following the encounter, asserting that federal agents targeted elderly individuals and children before driving recklessly down Highway 99E, which prompted local officials to temporarily shut down sections of the roadway. Salinas criticized the agency’s tactics, stating that agents harassed U.S. citizens and showed a blatant disregard for public safety. Oregon for All, an immigrant rights advocacy group, tracked the enforcement actions through a hotline and reported that more than 40 people had been detained across Oregon during the week.
Department of Homeland Security Sanctuary City Surge and Oregon Legal Restrictions
The confrontation in Salem unfolded during a nationwide surge targeting sanctuary cities initiated by the Department of Homeland Security earlier in the week. Under Oregon state law, local and state law enforcement agencies are prohibited from providing operational support or assistance to federal immigration authorities.
State and Federal Reviews Ordered Following Highway 99E Deployment
A formal incident report is currently being compiled for submission to the Oregon Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to facilitate independent reviews of the use of force.