Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Dexter Demand Answers about DHS Helicopters Over Portland

WASHINGTON DC [10/17/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led a letter with Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (OR-03) in demanding the Trump administration provide answers about the Department of Homeland Security helicopters that have continuously flown over Portland since Sept. 27.

The lawmakers noted that, on September 27 ^th and 28^th, the Port of Portland received more than 40 noise complaints about the helicopters, which is more than four times the number of complaints filed during the entire last fiscal year. The City of Portland has also received a substantially increased number of aircraft-related noise complaints.

“Our offices have received a significant number of calls from constituents who are angered and stressed by the persistent noise, by the frequent disruptions from the helicopters, and by what they perceive as misuse of government resources,” the lawmakers wrote. “Constituents report that the disruptions from the helicopters have rattled buildings, interrupted their workdays, and kept them awake at night. Portland residents are understandably confused and

frustrated by the ongoing presence of the helicopters.”

“Portland residents want and deserve to feel safe in their homes,” the lawmakers continued. “Sending helicopters to circle over residential areas for multiple hours each day disturbs the peace and quiet they deserve to enjoy in their neighborhoods.”

The full text of the letter to DHS can be found here and below.

Dear Secretary Noem:

Beginning on or around September 27, 2025, Department of Homeland Security helicopters have flown over Portland, apparently daily and for hours at a time. The residents of the area, our constituents, have voiced their concern about the very loud and disruptive noise these helicopters cause. The Port of Portland received more than 40 noise complaints about the helicopters on September 27 and 28, which is more than four times the number of complaints filed during the entire last fiscal year.^[1] Similarly, the City of Portland has received a substantially increased number of aircraft-related noise complaints. 

Our offices have received a significant number of calls from constituents who are angered and stressed by the persistent noise, by the frequent disruptions from the helicopters, and by what they perceive as misuse of government resources. Constituents report that the disruptions from the helicopters have rattled buildings, interrupted their workdays, and kept them awake at night. Portland residents are understandably confused and frustrated by the ongoing presence of the helicopters.

Portland residents want and deserve to feel safe in their homes. Sending helicopters to circle over residential areas for multiple hours each day disturbs the peace and quiet they deserve to enjoy in their neighborhoods. On behalf of Oregonians who want to end the disruptions caused by the helicopters, we request answers to the following questions:

1. Why is the Department of Homeland Security directing helicopters to fly over Portland?
   1. Please provide a detailed description of what goal DHS is trying to achieve with the helicopters.
   2. Are helicopters essential to achieve these goals? If the answer is in the affirmative, please explain why DHS deems the use of helicopters to be necessary.
2. Will DHS take steps to minimize the noise from helicopters and mitigate disruptions for residents in the area, especially at night when residents are sleeping?
   1. If noise and disruptions cannot be mitigated, will DHS discontinue flying helicopters over Portland?
3. When does DHS plan to stop flying helicopters over Portland?
   1. What steps can be taken to immediately end the helicopter patrols over Portland?
4. Are these helicopters owned and operated by the Department of Homeland Security? If not, which federal agencies or other agency owns the helicopters?
5. What is the cost of flying the helicopters per hour?
6. Were the same helicopter assets flying over Portland in the last 30 days previously deployed in the last six months as part of any criminal law enforcement or border security mission?
7. Prior to being assigned to patrol over Portland, what mission or missions were these helicopters normally assigned to?
8. Has DHS denied any requests from federal, state, or local agencies for the use of the helicopters? If so, please provide a list, including the name of the requester, the purpose of the request, and when the request occurred, and what was the reason for denying the request. 

The helicopters are contributing to the escalation of disturbances around the Macadam ICE facility. Oregonians are asking for it to end. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We respectfully request that you respond to these inquiries no later than October 20, 2025. We look forward to hearing from you.   

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