LaMonica McIver charged by DOJ over incident with ICE agents

U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver is facing federal charges following an incident during a protest outside an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey earlier this month. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced Monday that McIver is being charged with assaulting and impeding federal law enforcement under Title 18, U.S. Code Section 111(a)(1).

The protest took place on May 9 outside Delaney Hall, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, and included several members of Congress and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. According to Habba, the situation escalated, resulting in pushing and shoving. She claims McIver interfered with officers in the line of duty and noted that the DOJ had made efforts to resolve the matter without charges.

“No one is above the law,” Habba said. “It is my Constitutional obligation to ensure federal law enforcement is protected when executing their duties.”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem publicly supported the charges on social media, stating, “If any person… assaults a law enforcement officer as we witnessed Congresswoman McIver do, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

In response, Rep. McIver denied any wrongdoing and labeled the charges as politically motivated. “They mischaracterize and distort my actions, and are meant to criminalize and deter legislative oversight,” she said in a statement, vowing to continue advocating for her constituents.

Mayor Baraka, who was also present at the protest, had charges against him dropped.

Top House Democrats came to McIver’s defense, calling the charges an “illegitimate abuse of power” and promising a strong response. They also highlighted that McIver was allowed to tour the facility after the incident—arguing it contradicts the accusation of criminal behavior.

As the case proceeds, the situation underscores rising political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the treatment of lawmakers engaging in oversight efforts.