Three Democratic lawmakers from New Jersey—Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez—alleged they were “roughed up” by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during an attempted oversight visit to the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark on Friday. However, newly released bodycam footage contradicts these claims, showing the lawmakers aggressively confronting ICE personnel.
The incident began when the lawmakers, accompanied by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, attempted to enter the facility without prior authorization. According to reports, they waited outside the gate until it opened for a vehicle transporting detainees, at which point they rushed through the gate. Bodycam footage provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shows Rep. McIver shoving and elbowing her way past a DHS agent to gain entry, followed closely by Rep. Menendez. The video also captures McIver yelling at agents during the confrontation.
Mayor Baraka, who is also campaigning for New Jersey governor, was arrested during the altercation and charged with misdemeanor trespassing. He was released later that evening. Baraka claimed he was invited onto the property and complied with orders to leave, asserting that his arrest was politically motivated. DHS officials, however, stated that Baraka ignored multiple warnings to vacate the premises before being taken into custody.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin indicated that further arrests of the lawmakers are “on the table,” citing the bodycam footage as evidence of assault on federal officers. She emphasized that members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally breach federal facilities.
The Delaney Hall facility, operated by the private Geo Group under contract with ICE, has been a point of contention among local officials. The city of Newark has filed a lawsuit against the facility, alleging it lacks proper permits and inspections. Despite these claims, federal officials maintain that the facility is authorized and houses individuals who have committed violent crimes.
This incident underscores the escalating tensions between federal immigration enforcement and Democratic officials who oppose President Trump’s immigration policies. The release of the bodycam footage provides a clearer picture of the events, challenging the narrative presented by the lawmakers involved.
