Democratic Rep. McIver Charged with Felony Assault at Newark ICE Facility

Protests erupted outside the ICE detention facility at Delaney Hall in Port Newark and the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba following developments in a May 9 altercation involving Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver, other local Congress members, and Homeland Security officers. Charges against Mayor Baraka were dropped, but Rep. McIver faces felony charges for allegedly assaulting ICE agents during the confrontation. Demonstrators expressed relief over the dropped charges for Baraka but voiced frustration over McIver’s indictment, emphasizing opposition to ICE detentions and support for the congressional delegation’s oversight efforts. President Trump publicly condemned Rep. McIver’s actions, calling her “out of control” and supporting law enforcement, while McIver denied wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated and blaming ICE for the violent incident. The confrontation arose when local officials attempted an inspection of the detention facility, leading to a physical clash after being denied entry. The case has sparked significant debate over immigration enforcement, congressional oversight, and the use of force by ICE agents.