Date of Incident: May 9, 2025
Location: Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Center, Newark, New Jersey
Subject: Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ)
Charges: Assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal law enforcement officers
Background
Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, is operated by GEO Group under a 15-year contract awarded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February 2025. The facility reopened in May 2025 and has since been the subject of protests and legal challenges, including a lawsuit by the city of Newark alleging code violations.
The Incident
On May 9, 2025, Rep. LaMonica McIver, along with fellow Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez Jr., visited Delaney Hall for an oversight inspection. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka joined the group during the visit. While the representatives were allowed entry, a confrontation ensued outside the facility involving protesters and federal law enforcement officers. Mayor Baraka was arrested during the scuffle but later had his trespassing charge dismissed.
Video footage released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) purportedly shows Rep. McIver making physical contact with law enforcement officers and encouraging protesters. DHS officials allege that McIver assaulted officers during the incident.
Legal Proceedings
On May 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Rep. McIver with assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal law enforcement officers. The charges were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a former personal attorney for President Donald Trump. Habba stated that efforts were made to resolve the matter without prosecution but emphasized the duty to protect federal officers.
Critics have raised concerns about the impartiality of the prosecution, noting that the DOJ's Public Integrity Section was not consulted before bringing charges against McIver. Legal experts and McIver’s attorney have criticized the decision as disproportionate and indicative of a broader effort to suppress elected officials' oversight roles.
Responses
Rep. McIver:
Democratic Leadership:
Republican Lawmakers:
Praised the charges, emphasizing the importance of upholding the law regardless of political affiliation.
DHS Officials:
Conclusion
The charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver have intensified partisan tensions and raised questions about the balance between legislative oversight and law enforcement authority. As legal proceedings continue, the incident underscores the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement and the role of elected officials in oversight activities.
Sources
This report is based on verified information from the following outlets:
The Washington Post – DOJ Charges Rep. McIver
The Wall Street Journal – DOJ Charges in ICE Facility Incident
New York Post – McIver Charged, Baraka Cleared
Reuters – Baraka's Charge Dropped
Disclaimer
This report is compiled from publicly available, reputable news sources as of May 20, 2025. The information presented reflects the status of legal proceedings and public statements at the time of writing. This report does not offer legal conclusions or presume guilt, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
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