NEWARK, N.J. — Three Democratic members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation—Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Robert Menendez Jr.—could face arrests following a confrontation with federal agents at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark on Friday, May 9, 2025, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The incident, which also led to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on trespassing charges, has escalated tensions over immigration policy and congressional oversight.
The clash occurred at the Delaney Hall detention center, a privately operated facility under a $1 billion, 15-year ICE contract with GEO Group. The lawmakers, accompanied by Baraka and a group of protesters, arrived unannounced, claiming they were conducting an oversight visit to investigate the facility’s permitting, safety conditions, and compliance with local ordinances. Newark officials have alleged that the detention center opened without proper city approvals.
According to DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, the group exploited the opening of a security gate to “storm” the facility, breaching federal property. McLaughlin told CNN on Saturday that body camera footage captured members of Congress assaulting ICE officers, including an incident in which a female officer was allegedly “body-slammed.” She described the actions as a “deliberate attempt to undermine law enforcement” and said arrests of the lawmakers were “definitely on the table” as part of an ongoing investigation.
Video posted by McLaughlin on X showed chaos outside the facility, with protesters and officials clashing with law enforcement.
The video shows Rep. McIver and Rep. Menendez, son of disgraced former U.S. Robert Menendez, possibly assaulting officers.
“We will not tolerate assault against our ICE law enforcement agents. By members of Congress or anyone else,” she wrote.
The lawmakers have disputed DHS’s account, alleging that ICE officers escalated the situation. Representative Watson Coleman claimed she and her colleagues were “roughed up” and accused ICE of operating “out of control.”
Representative McIver stated that the group was denied entry despite their congressional authority to conduct oversight, while Representative Menendez Jr. called the incident a “direct attack on our ability to do our jobs.” Mayor Baraka, who was detained briefly and released, denied wrongdoing, framing his arrest as a stand against federal overreach.
Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a Trump appointee, echoed DHS’s stance, stating, “No one is above the law.” She confirmed that the investigation was active but declined to provide further details.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from both sides. Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, accused the Democrats of “reckless behavior” and called for accountability.
Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, defended the lawmakers’ oversight role but urged restraint pending a full review of the evidence.
Delaney Hall, one of five detention centers in New Jersey, has been a focal point of controversy amid the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. The facility, which houses detainees with serious criminal histories, has faced scrutiny over its rapid expansion and lack of transparency with local authorities.
DHS has not released the body camera footage, but McLaughlin emphasized its role in documenting the incident. Calls for transparency have grown, with advocates and lawmakers demanding its public release to clarify the events.
The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed against the congressional delegation as of Saturday evening. Mayor Baraka’s trespassing case is pending, with a court appearance scheduled for next week.
