Protests Erupt in Vancouver, Portland Over ICE Arrest of Transgender Asylum Seeker

Dozens of demonstrators protested in downtown Vancouver and Portland against the arrest of a 24-year-old transgender asylum seeker, identified as "OJM," who was detained by ICE agents after a court hearing in Portland. OJM fled Mexico after being repeatedly raped and threatened by cartel members due to her gender identity and sexual orientation and had been seeking asylum in the U.S. since September 2023. Despite complying with all court hearings and immigration check-ins, ICE arrested her under a Trump administration policy allowing arrests in courthouses, sparking accusations from her attorneys and supporters that her detention violates due process and asylum laws. Protesters expressed fear that such actions could deter immigrants from pursuing legal pathways to citizenship and criticized the government for what they see as unethical tactics. Additionally, three protestors were briefly detained at the ICE office in Portland while demonstrating in support of immigrants. Federal officials have yet to respond to the legal petitions challenging OJM's detention, and the case has raised significant concerns about immigration enforcement policies in the region.