- Who: U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver
- What: Indicted on federal charges of assaulting and interfering with immigration officers.
- Where: Outside Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey.
- When: Incident occurred during a protest on May 9, 2025.
- Why: Allegedly assaulted and interfered with federal officers during a protest and the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
What Exactly Happened?
U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver found herself in a major legal jam Tuesday after being indicted on federal charges. The accusations? She allegedly assaulted and interfered with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center. This all unfolded while Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was getting arrested for trying to join a congressional visit at the facility.
Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, didn’t hold back, stating, “While people are free to express their views…they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement.”
McIver’s Rebuttal: A Political Witch Hunt?
McIver isn’t backing down. She claims these charges are nothing more than a scare tactic from the previous administration. In her words, “The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation.”
The Charges: What’s at Stake?
The indictment includes three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding, and interfering with federal officials. Two of these counts could land her in prison for up to eight years each! The third carries a maximum sentence of one year. Ouch!
A History of Tension
This isn’t the first time McIver and the authorities have butted heads. Back in May, she was hit with two assault charges stemming from that same visit to Delaney Hall, a privately-owned facility housing around 1,000 ICE detainees.
Legal Battles and Political Drama
This indictment is just the latest chapter in a larger saga involving Democratic officials from Newark and the previous administration’s crackdown on immigration. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is even suing U.S. Attorney Alina Habba over what he calls a malicious prosecution after his own arrest at the same protest. The original trespassing charge was later dropped.
The Video Evidence: What Does It Show?
The Department of Homeland Security released a nearly two-minute clip showing McIver near a chain-link fence just before Baraka’s arrest. The video shows her moving through the gate and joining others who were protesting the mayor’s arrest. In the video, McIver appears to make contact with a police officer, but it remains unclear if the contact was intentional. The complaint states that McIver “slammed” her forearm into an agent and tried to restrain him.
What’s Next for McIver?
McIver’s lawyer, Paul Fishman, is ready to fight, calling the prosecution “political retaliation.” He insists they will challenge the allegations head-on in court.
Fellow New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez were also present at the detention center that day and have voiced their support for McIver, criticizing the charges against her.
The Power of Oversight: Congressional Authority
Members of Congress have the authority to visit federal immigration facilities as part of their oversight duties. This right was reinforced in a 2019 appropriations bill, making it clear they can enter these facilities even without prior notice. Source: Congress.gov
Who is LaMonica McIver?
McIver, 38, is a relative newcomer to Congress, having won a special election in September to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. She then secured a full term in November. A Newark native, she previously served as president of the Newark City Council and worked in the city’s public schools.