In Portland, a new approach to protest-related crime is taking shape as the county’s top prosecutor begins aggressively pursuing cases tied to demonstrations near the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez has taken a markedly tougher stance on protesters arrested during anti-ICE demonstrations, a shift from the policies of his predecessor, Mike Schmidt.

Court and police records reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation indicate that prosecutors have filed charges in 33 out of 53 arrests tied to anti-ICE protests between September and February — roughly 63% of the cases.

Charges and results

The charges brought by Vasquez’s office include:

• Assault

• Interfering with a peace officer

• Disorderly conduct

• Criminal mischief

• Reckless endangerment

• Criminal trespass

So far, the cases have resulted in 11 convictions and one “no contest” plea, while other cases have been dismissed or resolved through restitution payments.

A shift from previous policy

The tougher prosecution strategy contrasts sharply with the approach taken in 2020 by Schmidt, who announced his office would automatically decline certain protest-related charges such as disorderly conduct, harassment, trespass, or interfering with police unless they involved violence, threats, theft, or deliberate property damage.

Vasquez campaigned in 2024 on a tough-on-crime platform, arguing that the previous policy allowed repeat offenders to avoid consequences. He ultimately defeated Schmidt in the primary election and became district attorney without opposition in the general election.

Impact on protests

According to a Portland Police Bureau officer who spoke anonymously, the stricter enforcement appears to have reduced the scale of nightly demonstrations near the ICE building.

The officer said protests that once drew larger crowds have fallen to fewer than a dozen people per night, and disruptive activity has “slowed to nearly a stop.”

Balancing protest rights and law enforcement

Despite the tougher stance, Vasquez said his office still supports the right to protest.

“It is a fundamental right and one that is frequently embraced here in Portland,” Vasquez said. “What we do not support or tolerate is people committing crimes against each other or property when they gather to protest.”

He also emphasized that prosecutions are not based on political ideology.

“It does not matter to me if someone is part of the left, right or center,” he said. “If they break the law during a protest they will be prosecuted.”

The policy shift comes as protests against immigration enforcement have intensified during the second presidential term of Donald Trump, particularly in cities that identify as sanctuary jurisdictions.