Protesters battled with police outside an ICE facility in Chicago on Saturday as demonstrators in Oregon hosted a ‘laser party’ in an attempt to deter federal helicopters from the area.

A wave of demonstrations have grown increasingly creative and confrontational across the country as protestors in Portland advertised the nighttime event dubbed ‘laser tag.’

The Portland protest encouraged locals to shine lasers at aircraft in defiance of what they call ‘the federal regime.’

Locals have posted black-and-white event fliers around the city, depicting a helicopter engulfed in beams of light, urging residents to ‘gather’ to ‘fight back.’

Authorities say the so-called ‘laser tag’ gatherings have disrupted air traffic and even forced helicopters to divert, affecting emergency medical operations. 

The Oregon Health & Science University confirmed that its hospital has had to reroute incoming flights from its helipad because of the lasers, which make it unsafe for pilots to land.

The Portland Police Bureau warned that shining lasers at aircrafts is illegal under state and federal law and poses serious risks to pilots, crew, and people on the ground. 

Police told KGW that they ‘regularly’ arrest individuals who target aircraft, including one person detained this week for directing lasers at police helicopters.

Ongoing protests against U.S. immigration reforms have taken an unusual turn, with demonstrators in Oregon hosting what they call a ‘laser party’ – a tactic aimed at deterring federal helicopters from surveilling protest areas. Pictured: Illinois State Police and Cooks County Sheriffs move in to detain protesters outside the Broadview ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois

The black-and-white event flier depicts a helicopter engulfed in beams of light and urges residents to ‘gather’ on Saturday night to ‘fight back’

Meanwhile, similar unrest has been unfolding across the country. In Chicago, protests outside the Broadview ICE facility escalated Saturday afternoon, leading to multiple arrests after demonstrators breached the perimeter and clashed with police. Pictured: Increased law enforcement presence after the National Guard were blocked from going on patrol

While the bureau confirmed it had resources monitoring the ICE facility in Portland on Saturday, officials said staffing levels were not increased despite the heightened tensions.

Residents near the Portland ICE site have complained of nightly helicopter noise, which has persisted for nearly two weeks. 

According to Christine Treadwell, a board member of the South Portland Neighborhood Association, helicopters begin circling the area around 5 p.m. and continue well into the night.

Meanwhile, similar unrest has been unfolding across the country. 

In Chicago, protests outside the Broadview ICE facility escalated Saturday afternoon, leading to multiple arrests after demonstrators breached the perimeter and clashed with police.

The escalation follows a Saturday ruling in which judges ruled that National Guard troops deployed to Illinois by President Donald Trump could remain under federal control but could not yet be used to protect federal property or conduct patrols.

The decision followed a Thursday ruling by Judge April Perry, who temporarily blocked the deployment for two weeks, citing a lack of evidence of a ‘danger of rebellion’ amid the administration’s immigration crackdown. 

The appeals court has since paused proceedings while it considers further arguments.

Tensions remain high nationwide as immigration protests continue to intensify – from the streets of Portland to the suburbs of Chicago – reflecting deep divisions over federal enforcement and the growing opposition to ICE operations.

A protestor wearing an American flag face covering stands opposite Cook County Sheriffs outside of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois on Saturday

Hundreds of activists, called by the Coalition Espirituality and Public Lidership, attend a demonstration outside the ICE detention facility in Broadview, Illinois on Saturday

Activists attend a demonstration outside the ICE detention facility in Broadview, Illinois

Authorities have not released the total number of arrests or injuries.

‘The court’s order today keeps the troops off the streets of Chicago, Broadview or any other community in Illinois,’ Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement after the ruling. 

‘This is a victory for our state. This is a victory for state and local law enforcement — who know their communities and who protect the right of their communities to speak truth to power.’ 

Illinois and Chicago leaders, including Democrat Governor JB Pritzker has filed a lawsuit on Monday over what her called ‘an ‘unconstitutional invasion of Illinois by the federal government.’ 

‘Donald Trump is not a king – and his administration is not above the law,’ he said in a statement on the social platform X after Perry’s previous decision on Thursday. 

Perry had earlier granted Illinois and Chicago officials’ request for a temporary restraining order which prevented Trump from sending National Guard troops across the state after some were ordered to patrol around Chicago.

Around 300 federalized Illinois National Guard members and around 200 troops from Texas were deployed to the Chicago area on Wednesday night.They have been activated for 60 days.

The aim of the National Guard in Chicago is to ‘to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. Government personnel who are performing federal functions, including the enforcement of federal law, and to protect federal property,’ U.S. Northern Command said in a statement. 

Illinois State Police detain protesters outside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview

Illinois State Police detain protesters outside the ICE facility

Sherrif’s police detain a protester outside the ICE Detention Center on 25th Street and Harvard 

The on-again, off-again deployments stem from a political and legal battle over Trump’s push to send the Guard to several US cities. 

The Trump administration claims crime is rampant in those cities, despite statistics not always supporting that.

If a president invokes the Insurrection Act, they can dispatch active duty military in states that fail to put down an insurrection or defy federal law. 

However, Perry said she found no substantial evidence that a ‘danger of rebellion’ is brewing in Illinois during Trump’s immigration crackdown.

She followed up Friday with an opinion that cites a mix of law and history, including the Federalist Papers, which were written in 1787-88 to support ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

‘There has been no showing that the civil power has failed,’ Perry said. 

Father Dan Hartnette speaks with Illinois State Police officer as members of a Catholic group take part in a march near the ICE facility 

The demonstrations against ICE are rooted in concerns about civil rights, local community safety, and alleged overreach by federal enforcement

 Hundreds of activists, called by the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership attend a demonstration outside the ICE detention facility in Broadview, Illinois

There was plenty of media present to cover the protests and conflict with law entorcement

At least seven arrests took place as law enforcement moved in

The police detain a protester who crossed the barrier during a demonstration outside the ICE detention facility in Broadview, Illinois

A visitor, right, engages members of the Louisiana National Guard for a friendly chat on the National Mall in Washington on Saturday

‘The agitators who have violated the law by attacking federal authorities have been arrested. 

The courts are open, and the marshals are ready to see that any sentences of imprisonment are carried out. Resort to the military to execute the laws is not called for.’

The judge said there was significant evidence that federal agents have been able to carry out their work, noting ‘huge increases in arrests and deportations.’

The 500 Guard members from Texas and Illinois were mostly based at a US Army Reserve Center in Elwood, southwest of Chicago. 

A small number were sent to a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Broadview.