Federal Investigation Targets New Jersey Democrats After ICE Facility Confrontation

A federal investigation has been launched into a May 9 incident at the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, involving Democratic lawmakers and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Baraka was arrested for trespassing after refusing to leave the facility despite multiple warnings, while Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was accused of physically confronting ICE agents, including an alleged bodyslam of a female officer. The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing body camera footage and has indicated that arrests of the involved lawmakers, including Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez Jr., are possible. However, some lawmakers dispute the claims of assault, with Watson Coleman stating an ICE agent shoved her. Former federal prosecutor Andy McCarthy noted the lawmakers are vulnerable to prosecution for impeding federal immigration enforcement but cautioned on the political implications of pursuing charges. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal prosecutors emphasizing a thorough review before determining next steps.