DHS says ‘arrests are still on the table’ after New Jersey House Dems storm ICE facility
A trio of House Democrats from New Jersey found themselves in hot water after a visit to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility turned chaotic and led to a scuffle with federal agents. The lawmakers involved in the incident, Rep. LaMonica McIver, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rep. Robert Menendez, could potentially face arrest, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The lawmakers, along with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, allegedly stormed the Delaney Hall Detention Center, where they were met with resistance from ICE agents. The situation quickly escalated, with authorities claiming that an ICE agent was assaulted during the confrontation, which was captured on camera.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law. She stated that if a typical U.S. citizen were to behave in a similar manner, they would be subject to arrest. McLaughlin also made it clear that assaulting a law enforcement officer would not go unpunished, hinting that arrests could still be on the table for the lawmakers involved.
According to reports, DHS has obtained body camera footage showing Congress members allegedly assaulting ICE officers, including body-slamming a female officer. The incident occurred as a group of protesters, including the lawmakers, stormed the facility as a bus of detainees was entering the security gate.
Following the confrontation, Rep. LaMonica McIver claimed she was assaulted by multiple ICE officers while Watson Coleman was manhandled. McIver further escalated her claims during a press conference, alleging that ICE officers had assaulted her in the presence of regional ICE directors.
Footage released by DHS showed McIver barreling through law enforcement near the gate, sparking further controversy. Watson Coleman also shared her account of the incident on social media, stating that they were at the facility to exercise their oversight authority as members of Congress.
DHS officials confirmed that the detainees at the facility included individuals charged with serious crimes such as murder, terrorism, child rape, and gang-related activities. Despite the lawmakers’ intentions, their actions were met with criticism from DHS and the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and charged with trespassing at the facility, leading to a five-hour detention. Baraka’s attorneys defended his actions, stating that he was exercising his First Amendment rights and acted lawfully throughout the incident.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, made public statements accusing Baraka of violating the rule of law and committing trespass. Baraka’s attorneys pushed back against these allegations, claiming that he was falsely accused and unfairly targeted.
The situation remains under investigation, with potential charges pending against the lawmakers involved in the incident. DHS referred inquiries to the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, who did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
In conclusion, the incident at the ICE detention facility underscored the tensions surrounding immigration policies and the role of lawmakers in overseeing such facilities. The fallout from the scuffle serves as a reminder that accountability and respect for the law must be upheld, regardless of one’s position of authority.
