New Jersey Congresswoman Charged After ICE Facility Clash
May 20, 2025
NEWARK, NJ — U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) is facing serious federal charges following a contentious altercation at a New Jersey immigration detention facility. According to federal authorities, the congresswoman has been charged with assaulting and obstructing law enforcement officers during a May 9 visit to Delaney Hall, a privately operated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center in Newark.
The incident has sparked a fierce political and legal backlash, raising critical questions about legislative oversight, the treatment of detainees, and the potential politicization of federal prosecutions.
Clash at Delaney Hall: What Happened?
On May 9, McIver, accompanied by two fellow Democratic lawmakers, visited Delaney Hall as part of a scheduled oversight visit. Tensions escalated when Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark and a Democratic gubernatorial hopeful, attempted to join the delegation. Baraka was arrested on misdemeanor trespassing charges, prompting a chaotic scene outside the facility.
Bodycam footage released by federal authorities shows a scuffle between ICE agents and the visiting officials. In the video, McIver appears to enter through a chain-link gate and makes physical contact with a law enforcement officer clad in fatigues and a face covering. Whether the contact was deliberate or accidental remains unclear.
Federal Response and Controversy
Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a former legal advisor to Donald Trump, announced the charges via social media. “No one is above the law—politicians or otherwise,” she stated, affirming her office’s commitment to impartial justice.
At the same time, Habba dropped the trespassing charge against Mayor Baraka, stating it was “for the sake of moving forward.” She even offered to personally accompany the mayor on a future tour of the facility, asserting that the government “has nothing to hide.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the charges were filed only after a thorough review of video evidence and internal reports.
McIver Denounces Charges as Politically Motivated
Congresswoman McIver strongly rejected the allegations, labeling them politically motivated and an attempt to suppress legislative oversight. “These accusations distort the truth,” she said. “This is an attempt to criminalize oversight and intimidate those holding ICE accountable.”
Her attorney, Paul Fishman—a former U.S. Attorney—echoed her sentiments, calling the prosecution “spectacularly inappropriate.” He insisted McIver was acting within her rights and responsibilities as a federal legislator.
Democratic Leaders and Civil Rights Groups Respond
House Democratic leaders condemned the charges in a joint statement, describing them as “morally indefensible” and unsupported by any credible evidence. They noted that McIver was permitted to complete the facility tour following the incident, suggesting there was no immediate cause for criminal concern.
Mayor Baraka, whose own charges were dismissed, voiced strong support for McIver, calling her a “daughter of Newark” and expressing confidence that she would be vindicated.
The American Civil Liberties Union also raised red flags. ACLU leaders warned that prosecuting a sitting member of Congress over a disputed altercation sends a troubling signal. “This is a tactic more suited for authoritarianism than democracy,” they wrote, urging the charges be dropped immediately.
Looking Ahead
The legal battle now heads to federal court, but the political stakes continue to rise. McIver’s case is quickly becoming a focal point in the broader national debate over immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and the power of congressional oversight.
As proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on the justice system—not only to determine McIver’s fate but to assess the balance between authority and accountability in American governance.