WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection arm confirmed on Tuesday it has deployed officers from three paramilitary-style units to join a federal crackdown on protests against police violence in Portland, Oregon.
“We have agents and officers from our special operations groups deployed,” a CBP official said in an email.
The official did not respond to questions about the number of officers deployed.
CBP, which patrols land borders and operates checkpoints for people arriving at U.S. airports and other transportation hubs, has three specially trained units that have deployed officers to Portland, the official told Reuters.
Homeland Security official insists arrests in Portland are lawful.
CBP said it also sent agents from its Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue and Special Response teams to Portland.
“Donald Trump has no justification for deploying paramilitary troops to the streets of Portland or any other American city,” Wyden said. »