Portland Protesters Arrested in Violent ICE Facility Clashes
Federal authorities say outside agitators traveled from as far as Portland, Oregon to incite violence at a New Jersey immigration detention facility, where dozens were arrested for assaulting officers.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin disclosed on Monday that troublemakers from as far as Portland, Oregon, have journeyed to Delaney Hall to participate in violent demonstrations, as New York Post reports.
The detention center has become a flashpoint for radical left activists, with twenty-one protesters arrested for allegedly assaulting federal officers between May 26 and May 29. At least twenty additional arrests occurred on Sunday alone.
Mullin commended New Jersey state police after the state reluctantly deployed officers to assist federal authorities in controlling the unruly crowd following a week of lawlessness outside the facility.
Speaking at a press conference Monday, the Homeland Security chief criticized sanctuary city and state leadership for preventing law enforcement from performing their duties. But when they did show up, they quickly realized these aren’t peaceful protesters that the radical left politicians were telling you about, Mullin stated.
The secretary characterized the protesters as well-organized and well-supplied, making his remarks just hours after federal officers dismantled a volunteer encampment that had been stocked with supplies purportedly for detainees’ families.
Portland has experienced repeated anti-ICE demonstrations since June 2025, with protests erupting monthly. In March, one activist accidentally ignited himself while attempting to burn an American flag outside a city immigration facility.
Mullin did not specify other states from which agitators may have traveled or provide a total arrest count.
Charged Suspects Include Alleged Child Pornography Distributor
At least two agitators, both from the tristate area, have been formally charged for their alleged misconduct during the demonstrations.
Brendan John Geier, a 26-year-old Madison, New Jersey resident, allegedly bit federal law enforcement officers during a demonstration last week. He was previously accused of distributing child pornography while attending college.
Nicholas Matthew Scelfo, a 27-year-old Brooklyn resident, faces charges for allegedly threatening to murder an agent and his family during a confrontation at Delaney Hall on May 27.
Video footage captured by witnesses shows Scelfo shouting violent threats at federal agents, warning that their entire families would be killed.
With information from New York Post
