A Dangerous Incident in Portland
Federal authorities say four men from Mexico living illegally in the U.S. were arrested in Portland after allegedly pointing a high-powered laser at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter, endangering the pilot, crew, and the public.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday that Diogenes Albores-Suchiapa, Andres Brian Lopez-Labra, Benito Zamora-Alvarez, and Hector Miranda Mendoza were taken into custody. The men are accused of aiming laser beams at the CBP aircraft, a federal crime that can cause temporary blindness and impair pilots during flight.
Agents traced the laser to a Portland residence and carried out a raid, during which the suspects were arrested and the device was seized.
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Criminal Histories and Immigration Violations
Authorities revealed that some of the suspects had prior criminal or immigration records.
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Albores-Suchiapa had previous arrests in Oregon for meth possession and trespassing and was stopped multiple times for immigration violations.
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Lopez-Labra was previously arrested for unlawful entry and more recently charged with DUI by Oregon State Police.
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Zamora-Alvarez claimed he has lived in the U.S. illegally since 1994.
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Mendoza’s prior record was not detailed by DHS.
All four are now in custody at ICE’s Seattle facility while prosecutors prepare federal charges.
FBI and DHS Statements
Both DHS and the FBI underscored the seriousness of the crime.
“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is incredibly dangerous,” DHS said in its statement. “It endangers not only the pilots but also passengers, other aircraft, and the public on the ground.”
The FBI Portland field office confirmed it executed the search warrant and recovered the laser pointer. On social media, the office warned: “The federal government will not tolerate violence against federal officers, nor will we tolerate assaults on personal, commercial, or government aircraft.”
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a sharp warning:
“Targeting law enforcement will never be tolerated. In Portland, FBI agents and our federal partners swiftly took into custody four individuals here illegally who allegedly aimed lasers at a CBP aircraft. 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.”
Broader Federal Response
The arrests come amid heightened federal attention on Portland, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities have faced repeated protests. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently issued a memo directing federal agencies — including the FBI, ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service — to defend ICE personnel and facilities “whenever and wherever they come under attack.”
President Donald Trump has also weighed in, calling Portland “war-ravaged” and authorizing troop deployments at the request of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Trump said he directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to provide “all necessary troops to protect Portland and ICE facilities under siege from Antifa and other domestic terrorists,” even authorizing “full force” if required.
Local Leaders Dispute Federal Narrative
Despite the federal crackdown, local officials insist Portland does not need outside intervention.
Mayor Keith Wilson dismissed Trump’s claims, stating: “This is an American city. We do not need any intervention. This is not a military target.”
Protests outside the ICE facility have continued, but police describe them as limited in scope compared to the scale suggested by federal officials.
The Broader Issue of Laser Strikes
While the arrests have drawn attention for their connection to immigration and protests, the case also highlights a growing concern: laser strikes on aircraft.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes in 2024 — a record high. Even handheld lasers can cause flash blindness, blurred vision, and disorientation, making them a serious hazard during takeoff or landing.
The FAA warns that individuals caught pointing lasers at aircraft can face civil fines of up to $32,000 per violation in addition to criminal charges. In 2021, the agency issued $120,000 in fines for laser incidents nationwide.
“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime,” the FAA states. “Violators face both criminal and civil prosecution.”
What Comes Next
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon is expected to file charges against the four men. If convicted, they could face prison time, fines, and deportation after serving their sentences.
For now, the men remain in federal custody as Portland once again becomes a focal point in the national debate over immigration enforcement, public safety, and federal intervention in local affairs.
