A federal judge has ordered limits on the use of tear gas and other chemical crowd-control munitions at the Portland ICE facility, ruling that they cannot be used against nonviolent protesters unless there is an immediate threat of physical harm.

That is an great start, but more needs to be done. 

The court found that repeated use of tear gas and other munitions against nonviolent demonstrators was likely to continue without judicial intervention. The ruling also protects journalists engaged in lawful newsgathering.

If constitutional safeguards are necessary at one ICE facility, they should apply everywhere.

Peaceful protest is protected by the First Amendment. That protection does not depend on which federal building someone stands in front of. Standards governing the use of force should be consistent across all ICE and DHS facilities nationwide.

We call on the Department of Homeland Security to adopt uniform, nationwide limits on the use of tear gas and chemical munitions against nonviolent protesters and journalists at all ICE and DHS facilities.

Constitutional rights should not vary by ZIP code. Apply the same protections everywhere.

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