Federal Immigration Officers Shoot and Wound Two People

On January 8, 2026, federal immigration officers shot and wounded two people in Portland, Oregon, during what authorities described as a “targeted vehicle stop” near a hospital, according to law enforcement and city officials. The incident occurred just a day after a separate fatal shooting involving a federal agent in Minneapolis, drawing national attention to federal immigration enforcement tactics.

The FBI’s Portland office said it is investigating the incident as an “agent-involved shooting,” after the Portland Police Bureau responded to reports of gunfire around 2:15 p.m. local time and found a man and a woman with apparent gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a hospital, and their exact conditions have not been confirmed.

Federal Account and Local Pushback

According to a written statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the vehicle was stopped because one of its occupants was allegedly connected to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang and involved in another recent Portland shooting. DHS said agents identified themselves and that the driver “tried to run them over,” prompting an agent to fire in self-defense before the vehicle fled the scene.

There has been no independent verification of the gang affiliation or the attempt to use the vehicle as a weapon, and critics note that previous federal accounts of shootings — including the Minneapolis case — have been disputed by video evidence and local officials.

City leaders strongly challenged the federal narrative. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and the city council urged the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies to halt enforcement operations in the city until investigations are complete, arguing that militarized tactics may endanger residents and erode constitutional protections. At a city council meeting, officials said foreign immigration operations risk undermining community safety.

Reactions from Lawmakers and Community

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and State Senator Kayse Jama echoed calls for a pause in federal enforcement, with Jama — a longtime Portland resident who came to the U.S. as a refugee — stating that the city does not welcome aggressive federal action. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley urged calm during protests and demonstrations following the shooting, emphasising that responses should remain peaceful even as frustration grows.

Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney told a local meeting that both wounded people were still alive and that officials hoped for positive updates. However, precise information on their injuries has not been released.

Broader Context: Immigration Enforcement Tensions

The Portland incident is part of a broader national context of highly visible federal immigration enforcement actions under the Biden administration’s continuation of policies during President Trump’s tenure, drawing intense scrutiny from both supporters and opponents. The shootings — including the fatal Minnesota case — have sparked protests and legal challenges while fueling debate over the appropriate use of force, the role of federal agencies in local communities, and transparency in law enforcement.

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