Overview

• Rep. LaMonica McIver has been charged under federal law for allegedly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a May 9 altercation at Newark’s Delaney Hall ICE facility.
• Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced the charges on May 19, citing body camera footage as evidence, while dismissing a misdemeanor trespass charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
• McIver and her colleagues claim they were conducting lawful oversight and accuse federal agents of escalating the situation, while DHS maintains the lawmakers breached security and endangered personnel.
• Judicial Watch has called for a congressional ethics investigation into McIver and two other Democratic lawmakers involved in the incident, alleging violations of House rules.
• The incident has intensified partisan tensions over immigration enforcement, congressional oversight rights, and the use of private detention facilities.