New Jersey Democrats Storm ICE Facility, Mayor Arrested Amid Safety Concerns

Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Robert Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, forcibly entered the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in New Jersey to conduct an unsanctioned oversight visit, prompting a strong rebuke from Homeland Security. DHS officials condemned the intrusion as illegal and dangerous, emphasizing that the lawmakers should have requested a formal tour rather than entering without permission. The detention center houses high-risk inmates such as alleged killers and gang members, raising security concerns from DHS. Newark Mayor Baraka was arrested for trespassing after ignoring multiple warnings to leave the facility, while the members of Congress were allowed access but claimed they were intimidated during the incident. The lawmakers criticized the lack of transparency and treatment of detainees, framing their actions as a necessary oversight measure. The standoff highlights tensions between local officials and federal immigration enforcement over the management and oversight of ICE detention facilities.