Oregon Attorney General Rayfield backs ACLU lawsuit challenging ICE action

The lawsuit that began in November 2025 continues to gain steam, now backed by the Oregon Department of Justice.

PORTLAND — On Feb. 16, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed arguments alongside the American Civil Liberties Union to prevent ICE agents from using excessive force against protesters. The lawsuit, originally filed in November 2025 by the ACLU, alleged ICE officers were infringing on the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights by using forceful retaliation against protesters.

The plaintiffs filed for a temporary restraining order on Jan. 27 which was granted on Feb. 3. Now, the plaintiffs seek to stop ICE agents from acting “unconstitutionally,” according to a video published by Rayfield.

“Nationally, we are seeing an administration that is perpetuating this behavior,” Rayfield said in the video. “They’re doing so by exclaiming out in public that you can arrest people without warrants.”

Beginning March 2, the district court will hold a three-day hearing on the plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion. The Oregon Department of Justice argues that ICE officers must respect the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters and gatherings, staying within the established limits on the use of force against them.