In Portland, Oregon, residents living near the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) building are enduring difficult conditions as tear gas from ongoing protests has been infiltrating their apartments. Reportedly, this situation has led tenants to resort to wearing gas masks indoors for protection. Many have attempted to seal their windows and doors with tape and wet towels to combat the effects of the gas. The complaints highlight the severe impact of police responses to activism, especially for families with children, who are even resorting to sheltering in closets to avoid exposure.

These circumstances have escalated to legal action, with some residents from the Gray's Landing apartment complex set to testify in federal court. They hope that their voices will lead to restrictions on ICE's practices, particularly the use of tear gas, which they argue constitutes a violation of their rights. The residents claim that the chemical agents not only make them ill but also contaminate their living spaces, raising serious health concerns.

The implications of this case extend beyond individual complaints, highlighting a broader national conversation about the use of force by law enforcement in the context of civic unrest. The residents' situation raises pressing questions about the balance between maintaining public order and protecting community health, especially in neighborhoods directly affected by such governmental actions.