Federal agents arrested four illegal immigrants in Portland, Ore., after they allegedly pointed a laser at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter.
The suspects “conducted laser strikes” on the CBP helicopter in an effort to temporarily blind the pilot’s ability to see, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“This was incredibly dangerous for the aircraft personnel and for the public’s safety,” DHS said in a news release.
The four men are from Mexico and illegally entered the United States. Two of the criminal illegal alien suspects have prior arrests, including one for possession of methamphetamine.
DHS said that aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a federal crime and the men endangered the CBP crew, other aircraft and the public. Once spotted, federal agents investigated and determined the laser came from a nearby residence.
The laser incident follows last week’s shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas and violent clashes between federal agents and protestors across the country.
For several weeks now, protestors have obstructed federal vehicles from leaving and last Friday yelled “Arrest ICE! Shoot ICE!” outside a processing center in Broadview, Ill.
In Portland, Ore., Antifa members and violent rioters gather nightly to create problems outside of Portland’s ICE processing facility, disturbing life for local residents.
The civil disruptions and intimidation tactics by Portland Antifa members have been going on for more than 100 days, with journalists and YouTubers recording the footage.
A YouTuber by the name of Velly Ray has recorded the group since June to send to the feds. YouTuber Nick Shirley was threatened and chased down the street at a protest on Sunday. A man in a mask follows him, saying “If you come back, I’m going to f*cking smoke you dude.”
In the same video at minute 16-17, a resident who lives across the street from the building tells Shirley he wants President Donald Trump to send in the National Guard.
“They’re ruining the whole community,” the resident said. “The school got shut down. People are afraid to come out of their houses here…. I want the feds here. I want the tanks. I’m just sick of it, man. I want to have my f*cking community back.”
On Wednesday, President Trump defended his decision to send National Guard troops to Portland, Ore., saying he had “no choice” but to deploy troops over the protests of local officials, The Hill reported.
“The Governor of Oregon must be living in a ‘Dream World,’” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Portland is a NEVER-ENDING DISASTER. Many people have been badly hurt, and even killed. It is run like a Third World Country.”
Meanwhile, the four suspects involved in the laser incident were taken into ICE Seattle custody after investigators traced the beam to a Portland residence.
- Diogenes Albores-Suchiapa was previously arrested for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and criminal trespass in the 2nd degree in Gresham, Oregon. He was also previously arrested by CBP three times for immigration violations.
- Andres Brian Lopez-Labra was previously arrested by CBP for unlawful entry and recently arrested by Oregon State Police for DUI.
- Benito Zamora-Alvarez claims to have been in the United States illegally since October 1994.
- Hector Miranda Mendoza is an illegal alien from Mexico.
“This strike happened just days after the terrorist attack on an ICE facility in Dallas and as rioters were arrested with guns outside a Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility with weapons,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Secretary Noem has been clear: if you lay a hand on law enforcement you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Portland carried out a raid on the home where the men were arrested, sharing a night vision image of the home on social media. During the search, agents recovered the laser pointer that was allegedly used in the incident.
Officials told Fox News Digital that the U.S. Attorney’s Office would likely file charges on Tuesday.
“The federal government will not tolerate violence against federal officers, nor will we tolerate assaults on personal, commercial, or government aircraft,” FBI Portland wrote in a post on X.
The laser that was used was acquired during the course of the investigation. The federal government will not tolerate violence against federal officers, nor will we tolerate assaults on personal, commercial, or government aircraft. https://t.co/rl6ZOc5nue
— FBI Portland (@FBIPortland) September 29, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel also warned those who target U.S. law enforcement that they will face consequences.
“Let this serve as a warning: if you come after the men and women who protect this nation, we will come after you, and you will be put away,” Patel told Fox News Digital.
A reported 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard are set to be deployed to Portland, Ore., following Trump’s Truth Social post over the weekend authorizing troops to protect the city and ICE facility. It remains unclear when they plan to arrive.
The news prompted an immediate lawsuit from Oregon’s governor and city of Portland officials to stop the deployment of troops to the city. On Monday, they also filed for a temporary restraining order in their lawsuit against Trump officials, according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Justice.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, marched at the front of a protest Sunday in downtown Portland and denies the city has any problems. At a press conference over the weekend, she called the deployment “an abuse of power and a disservice to our communities and our service members.”
