ICE officer praised for raising new American flag after Portland facility riot: 'Unwavering patriotism'

PORTLAND, OREGON: A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer raised a new American flag in a symbolic act of defiance and patriotism after protesters torched the original during a violent Independence Day demonstration at an ICE facility in South Portland.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Tuesday, July 8, that the incident involved significant damage to federal property and assaults on law enforcement officers.

ICE officer replaces burned flag after July 4 attack on Portland facility

In a statement to Fox News, the Department of Homeland Security condemned the July 4 unrest near the ICE facility in South Portland, saying, “On Independence Day, violent rioters targeted ICE’s facility in the South Portland area. They assaulted law enforcement, vandalized federal property, and burned an American flag.”

Rioters reportedly disabled key infrastructure by cutting internet cables, sabotaging the sprinkler system, and hurling fireworks and rocks at officers stationed at the building.

During the chaos, demonstrators set fire to an American flag outside the facility. According to officials, an ICE officer later raised a replacement flag.

The statement praised the officer’s action as a reflection of the dedication seen daily among law enforcement: “This is the type of unwavering patriotism and love of America that our law enforcement officers display on the job day-in and day-out.”

According to DHS, rather than receiving gratitude for their service, agents are now contending with a staggering surge in violence, with assaults against federal agents rising by 700% in the past year alone.

The department emphasized that it will not tolerate violence or threats against its personnel.

“Threats or acts of violence against law enforcement will NOT be tolerated,” the statement emphasized. “Secretary Kristi Noem has made it clear: If you threaten or attempt to harm a law enforcement officer, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.” 

Donald Trump admin's border chief pledges aggressive crackdown on sanctuary cities

Border Czar Tom Homan has reaffirmed the Donald Trump administration’s hardline immigration enforcement strategy, pledging to significantly intensify ICE operations in sanctuary cities across the US, with Portland, New York City, and Chicago among the primary targets.

Appearing on Fox News’ 'Kudlow' on the night of July 8, Homan issued a sharp warning to city leaders who, in his words, are obstructing federal law enforcement by refusing to honor ICE detainers or cooperate with deportation efforts.

“We’re going to do the job,” Homan declared. “We’re going to do it in Portland too. But for the mayors of New York City and Chicago, President Trump made it clear two weeks ago, we are going to double down and triple down the sanctuary cities.”

“If we can’t arrest that bad guy in the jail,” he said, “then we’ll go to the community and we’ll find him. Or we’ll do more worksite enforcement.”

He added that during broader search operations, agents often come across individuals who “aren't a criminal target, but they're in the country illegally,” and in those cases, “we’re gonna arrest them too.”

Homan emphasized that the administration isn’t targeting sanctuary cities “because they're blue.”

“We agree with all the sheriffs in Florida,” he said. “They're taking our detainers. They're not releasing illegal alien public safety threats. They're calling us, so we can send less resources in Florida and send them to New York, Chicago, Portland, and LA.”