Democrats stormed an ICE facility in Newark, assaulting officers and breaking the law, while claiming victimhood. Video evidence contradicts their narrative, showing aggressive behavior towards federal agents trying to enforce immigration laws. The Trump administration is now threatening arrests for these lawmakers who believe they are above the law that everyday Americans must follow.
Democrat Officials Break Into ICE Facility, Sparking Federal Response
The Trump administration has threatened to arrest Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey following a chaotic incident at an ICE detention facility in Newark. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was already detained on federal trespassing charges after he and several Congress members, including Reps. Rob Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman confronted ICE officers at Delaney Hall.
Ras Baraka, the Democratic mayor of Newark and a candidate for New Jersey governor, was arrested today outside an ICE facility.
He and two members of Congress had been protesting the opening of Delaney Hall. pic.twitter.com/DLunrrDWoH
— The Recount (@therecount) May 9, 2025
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated, “There will likely be more arrests coming,” confirming an ongoing investigation into the confrontation. DHS officials report having body camera footage showing the lawmakers assaulting ICE enforcement officers, including an incident where they allegedly body-slammed a female ICE officer.
Lawmakers Claim Oversight Authority While Breaking Laws
The Democratic representatives claim they exercised legitimate congressional oversight authority when they entered the facility unannounced. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba contradicted this assertion, stating that Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings” before his arrest.
JUST IN: Ras Baraka, the Democratic mayor of Newark, New Jersey, was arrested on Friday while joining members of Congress at an ICE detention center, according to interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba. https://t.co/i5vOgqCTOY
— ABC News (@ABC) May 9, 2025
DHS alleges the lawmakers and mayor stormed a gate and broke into the detention center, while the representatives deny these allegations despite video evidence suggesting otherwise. This incident highlights Democrats’ apparent willingness to disregard federal immigration enforcement while demanding special treatment due to their political positions.
Political Fallout and Law Enforcement Response
Baraka was released without bond after spending approximately five hours in custody on the federal trespassing charge. Trespassing is a misdemeanor with a potential penalty of up to 30 days in prison and a $500 fine—a penalty any ordinary American would face for the same actions.
“We actually have body camera footage of these members of Congress assaulting these ICE enforcement officers, including body-slamming a female ICE officer,” McLaughlin confirmed in a statement to the press.
The incident has sparked significant political reactions, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries supporting the lawmakers while Trump allies have backed the administration’s enforcement actions. The detention facility has been a contentious point of conflict between the city of Newark and federal immigration authorities since the Trump administration resumed stronger deportation policies.
Newark had previously filed a lawsuit against the facility, alleging improper permits and blocked inspections, creating the backdrop for this confrontation. The standoff represents a microcosm of the larger battle between Democrat-led sanctuary cities attempting to obstruct federal immigration enforcement and the Trump administration’s commitment to border security and rule of law.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy904elvxj3o
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/10/ice-new-jersey-baraka-lawmakers-arrests-00340273