PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is pushing back after the City of Portland issued a land use violation notice for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on South Macadam Avenue.

City officials argued the facility violated its 2011 land use approval more than two dozen times between October 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025, citing records that showed detainees were held overnight or longer than the permitted 12 hours.

“This review was triggered by the Federal Government breaking promises to our community regarding the detention of human beings,” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said in a video statement Wednesday. “This is just one step in a formal process. The outcome is not a foregone conclusion, and the Federal Government will be given an opportunity to respond.”

However, on Friday, DHS officials called those claims “categorically false.”

“Another day, another sanctuary politician attempting to prevent the brave men and women of ICE from removing the worst of the worst, including rapists, murderers, pedophiles, and gang members from the U.S.,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “All detainees receive proper meals, medical care, and access to family and legal counsel.”

In a statement, McLaughlin emphasized the facility is a short-term processing center — not a detention center — and that ICE has taken steps to ensure people are transferred within 12 hours.

“The mayor’s claim of conducting a ‘thorough and thoughtful investigation’ amounts to nothing more than a FOIA request, without any effort to verify facts with ICE,” McLaughlin said.

The facility, which has been the focus of daily demonstrations, was recently the site of clashes between federal agents and protesters.

“Even though this is a public street, at night this turns into a war zone,” said one protestor, who asked to remain anonymous due to doxing concerns. “They’re violating basic rights. And to me, if you’re wearing that badge, it’s a shame.”

President Donald Trump weighed in earlier this month, publicly suggesting he may send federal troops to Portland amid the growing tensions.

“If we go to Portland, we’re gonna wipe them out,” the President told the press on Sep. 5. “They’re gonna be gone and they’re gonna be gone fast, they won’t even stand the fight.”

Meanwhile, protesters continue calling for the city to revoke the ICE facility’s permit altogether.

“Honestly, when those gates open, unfortunately, you have to be ready to be assaulted. These officers have no problem exhibiting extreme signs of aggression, and it doesn’t matter how big, small, tall, young or old you are, if you’re on that front line,” one protestor told KOIN 6 News.

He added, “For us to be classified as criminals, domestic terrorists, and stuff like that, when we’re standing on the right side of history, it just kind of chills.”

Under Portland’s land use rules, the property owner has 30 days to correct violations. The City Council could then choose to fine the facility, pursue removal of ICE, or take no further action.