Residents of Gray’s Landing, a low‑income and veteran‑housing complex directly across from the ICE facility in Portland’s South Waterfront neighborhood, are appearing in federal court today, February 13, 2026, to seek a lasting injunction against the repeated use of tear gas and other chemical munitions near their homes.

The lawsuit, originally filed in December by the building’s management organization, REACH Community Development, alongside several tenants, alleges that federal agents have been deploying chemical agents—tear gas, pepper balls, smoke—and that these have infiltrated apartments, resulting in health problems and violations of Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. Tenants report symptoms including burning in eyes and throats, difficulty breathing, dizziness, headaches, and, in some accounts, more serious conditions requiring emergency medical attention. Many have resorted to wearing gas masks indoors and using wet towels and tape to seal vents and gaps, while some children have taken to sleeping in closets to avoid exposure. Nearly a third of the complex’s residents are 63 or older, with a notable portion being veterans or persons with disabilities. Court filings also describe physical property damage, such as munitions breaking windows and scattering debris and canisters throughout the building’s grounds. The plaintiffs are now urging the court to extend protections until the case is fully resolved. 

Federal authorities, represented by the Department of Justice, argue that the use of such munitions remains lawful when responding to crowds deemed violent, obstructive, or in violation of dispersal orders. They contend that incidental drifting of chemical agents into nearby residences does not, in itself, constitute a constitutional violation. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Michael Simon issued a 14-day temporary restraining order limiting such crowd-control devices—but only under narrowly defined circumstances. That order is set to expire, prompting today’s hearing as tenants seek an extended injunction. 

Why this matters locally: While the protests and federal responses occur in Portland, their consequences ripple across the broader region. Disproportionate chemical exposure in low-income housing intersects with issues of public health, civil liberties, and the responsibilities of law enforcement—even at distance. In southwestern Washington, immigration policy and enforcement are often flashpoints in civic debate, and the outcomes of litigation in Portland may reverberate across state lines, offering precedent on how domestic crowd-control operations should—or should not—affect neighboring residential communities.

Update (Editor’s Note, Feb 13, 2026): Today’s hearing is focused on whether a preliminary injunction can be upheld until the full lawsuit concludes. Vancouver‑area readers with medical or safety concerns about chemical munitions are encouraged to monitor local and state responses to similar issues, including home‑rule strategies or enforcement of nuisance and public health protections.

Sources:

• Oregon Public Broadcasting: “Neighbors of Portland ICE facility to go before federal judge over chronic tear gas” (OPB coverage)
• Associated Press: Highlights of plaintiffs’ claims and demographics of Gray’s Landing tenants (AP News report)