Demonstrators camping outside Portland ICE facility handed 'Notice to Vacate'

PORTLAND, Ore. – Federal officers handed out a notice on Monday to the dozens of protesters, telling them they need to stop obstructing the entrances of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Southwest Portland.

The demonstrators have surrounded the building for a full week, ultimately forcing operations to stop at the facility last Wednesday.

In the early morning hours Monday, however, a team of Dept. of Homeland Security officers from ICE and Federal Protective Service went inside to secure the building.

The protesters said shutting down ICE is one of their goals, so they consider the closure a win. They’re asking for ICE to be abolished.

"We will put our bodies on the line," said Jacob Bureros, one of the protest's organizers. "If they take one body away, another body will stand in its place. If they tear this camp down, this camp will come back tomorrow."

By about 10:30 a.m., the group started handing out notices for people to vacate the premises.

A federal official told KATU News there are no plans to clear the camp Monday, but protesters have been warned they need to "stop interrupting government business." When asked what the feds will do if the campers remain, the official said, "we'll cross that bridge when it comes to us."

Portland Police said they are not going to participate in any sweeps of the camp.

"In line with the Mayor and Police Commissioner’s directions, the Police Bureau is not involved in activity related to the exercise of people’s First Amendment Right to Freedom of Speech and Assembly at the ICE Facility located near SW Macadam Ave and SW Boundary St."

ICE officials said they will continue to close the offices as long as there are protests:

“ICE will resume operations at the Macadam Avenue location once there are no longer security concerns resulting from the ongoing protests there. ICE deportation officers will contact individuals to reschedule any appointments at this location. These appointments will not be reported as missed check-ins.”