Congress Members Clash With ICE at Detention Center
Three Democratic members of Congress were involved in a confrontation with federal immigration officials Friday at a detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, resulting in the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Robert Menendez Jr., and LaMonica McIver attempted to conduct what they called a congressional oversight visit at Delaney Hall, leading to a chaotic standoff with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The Department of Homeland Security accused the lawmakers of “storming the gate” and breaking into the facility, while the representatives maintain they were lawfully exercising their oversight authority, according to Department of Homeland Security.
Federal Authorities Describe Unauthorized Entry
In a statement published on the DHS website, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed that “as a bus of detainees was entering the security gate of Delaney Hall Detention Center, a group of protestors, including two members of US Congress, stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility.”
The statement characterized the lawmakers’ actions as going “beyond a bizarre political stunt” that endangered both law enforcement and detainees. McLaughlin insisted that had the members requested a tour, “we would have facilitated a tour of the facility.”
Lawmakers Dispute Characterization of Events
Representatives directly challenged the DHS account, with Watson Coleman stating on social media that “contrary to a press statement put out by DHS we did not ‘storm’ the detention center.” She added that officials were “so unfamiliar with the facts on the ground that they didn’t even correctly count the number of Representatives present.”
The three lawmakers described being physically confronted by federal agents, with Menendez claiming that “over 20 armed ICE officers with the entire brass from the Newark office” approached them in what he characterized as an intimidation tactic, as reported by The Washington Post.
Congressional Authority at Center of Dispute
The confrontation highlights an ongoing debate about the extent of congressional oversight authority at federal facilities. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a statement supporting the representatives, asserting that “Members of Congress have a constitutional responsibility to serve as a check on the out-of-control policies of the executive branch, including conducting oversight wherever and whenever it is needed.”
Jeffries demanded that any charges against Mayor Baraka be dropped and that federal agents who “physically accosted two Congresswomen must be identified immediately,” according to his statement on the incident.
Facility Houses Controversial Detainees
In its statement, DHS emphasized that Delaney Hall currently detains individuals described as “murderers, rapists, suspected terrorists, and gang members.” The agency provided details about several detainees, including alleged MS-13 gang members and individuals with terrorism connections or violent criminal histories.
The lawmakers contend they were attempting to verify conditions at the facility, which has been at the center of controversy since reopening as an immigrant detention center on May 1st. The city of Newark has challenged the facility’s operations, claiming it lacks proper permits and inspections.
Political Reactions Sharply Divided
The incident has drawn predictably partisan responses, with Republican House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green calling the confrontation “absolutely absurd” and suggesting that “House Democrats are so supportive of illegal entry that now they’re trying it themselves.”
Meanwhile, Democratic officials, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Senator Cory Booker, condemned federal actions. Booker specifically cited concerns about GEO Group, the private prison company operating the facility, which he claimed has “a documented history of gross neglect” at its detention centers.
