U.S. federal immigration authorities shot and injured two individuals in Portland, Oregon, as reported by officials. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the passenger in the vehicle as a “Venezuelan illegal alien associated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution network,” allegedly linked to a recent Portland shooting. Upon encountering the vehicle occupants, the driver attempted to strike the agents, prompting one agent to discharge a defensive shot, leading the driver to flee the scene with the passenger.
The events described by the DHS have not been independently confirmed, including the alleged gang affiliation of the individuals involved. Previous incidents of shootings by agents under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown have raised doubts, as video evidence contradicted initial accounts.
President Trump and his supporters have consistently accused Tren de Aragua of fueling violence and drug trafficking in U.S. cities. The shooting incident in Portland occurred after the fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis the day before.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, officers responded to reports of a shooting near a hospital before finding two individuals with gunshot wounds in a residential area. The injured individuals were determined to have been involved in the altercation with federal agents, although their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and city council members have called for an end to ICE operations in the city until a thorough investigation is completed. The city officials emphasized the need to protect civil and human rights, denouncing federal militarization that undermines community-based public safety efforts.
During a news conference, Portland Police Chief Bob Day mentioned that the FBI is leading the investigation, while Mayor Wilson expressed skepticism about the federal government’s narrative of the shooting. Senator Jeff Merkley urged protesters to remain peaceful amid escalating tensions.
The shooting in Portland has heightened tensions in a city with a strained relationship with President Trump, who previously attempted to deploy National Guard troops in the area. The incident is under investigation, with authorities urging calm and unity in the community.