A group of four illegal immigrants was arrested after one allegedly pointed a laser at a Customs and Border Protection helicopter flying over Portland, Oregon, according to the FBI.
The illegal immigrant accused of pointing the laser targeted the CBP helicopter along with other law enforcement aircraft patrolling the city on Saturday, the FBI said.
“Come after law enforcement officers and this FBI will put you away,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X in response to the incident.
The laser attack comes as President Donald Trump deploys troops to Portland to protect the city and any U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities under attack by far-Left Antifa and other domestic terrorists.
“At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” the president posted on Truth Social Saturday.
“I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary,” he added. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The State of Oregon and City of Portland have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an attempt to thwart the effort.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (D) argued Sunday that the deployment is unnecessary.
“When the president and I spoke yesterday, I told him in plain language that there is no insurrection or threat to public safety that necessitates military intervention in Portland or any other city in our state,” Kotek said.
“Despite this — and all evidence to the contrary — he has chosen to disregard Oregonians’ safety and ability to govern ourselves. This is not necessary. And it is unlawful. And it will make Oregonians less safe,” she added.
Credit: FBI Portland
The FBI tracked down the illegal immigrant to a nearby home, where they found the three other illegal immigrants, according to the bureau. Immigration and Customs Enforcement later arrested the group.
“The federal government will not tolerate violence against federal officers, nor will we tolerate assaults on personal, commercial, or government aircraft,” the FBI said in a statement.
The FAA considers pointing lasers at aircraft to be “a serious threat” that can “incapacitate pilots,” resulting in fines of up to $32,646 per violation.
There were 12,840 laser strikes reported by pilots to the FAA in 2024.
