Government officials from the Department of Homeland Security are accusing legislators of illegally entering an ICE facility, acknowledging that they are permitted access per oversight laws.
A Wild Scene at an Immigration Facility:
Last Friday, a heated confrontation unraveled outside an ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, as Democratic lawmakers, led by Ras Baraka, the city's mayor, clashed with Homeland Security officers. This incident stemmed from an attempt by the officers to detain Baraka when he tried to join the lawmakers during their oversight visit.
As tensions escalated, the confrontation became physical, with shouts and pushing between the officers and lawmakers. Baraka, a Democrat, was detained for several hours before being released later in the evening.
By law, members of Congress hold the right to enter any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or house immigrants, without providing prior notice[1]. This annual appropriations act grants them this authority in their oversight capacity.
Following the incident, a DHS official hinted at potential charges being brought against the lawmakers, accusing them of breaking into the facility. However, the group was allowed to enter and inspect the center between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.[1]
DHS later claimed that the lawmakers had "stormed the gate" and "broken into the detention facility," which they called a "bizarre political stunt" putting "the safety of our law enforcement agents and detainees at risk."[1] Watson Coleman, one of the lawmakers involved, firmly denied these allegations. Moreover, she pointed out the inaccuracy in the DHS's statement regarding the number of representatives present.[1]
During an appearance on CNN, McLaughlin, the DHS Assistant Secretary, stated that ICE has footage possibly leading to the arrests of lawmakers. She suggested further arrests were imminent and even hinted at the possibility of the lawmakers being charged.[1]
Later, videos were released, showcasing the arrest of Baraka, along with footage of the physical altercations between federal agents, protesters, and members of Congress. One video appears to depict Rep. LaMonica McIver using her body to push past federal agents to follow Baraka.[1]
It's worth noting that Baraka, being a local official, was not within the scope of the appropriations law.[1] Despite being held for a few hours outside the fenced-in area around the facility, it remains unclear why he was detained.
Baraka, upon his release, stated, "I didn't go there to break any laws. I didn't break any laws." He asserted that he was there as the mayor of the city, fulfilling his duty to support the congresspeople during a planned press conference.[1]
DHS continues to stand firm on their response to the incident, posting on social media, "Just because the border is secure doesn't mean you can find new walls to climb over guys."[1]
CNN's Shania Shelton contributed to this report.
Enrichment:
- The appropriations act refers to the yearly budget allocated for federal agencies, and it grants members of Congress the permission to enter facilities operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or house immigrants in their oversight capacity, without prior notice.
- DHS has suggested that additional arrests could be made following the incident, hinting at further legal actions against the lawmakers involved.
- The incident involved Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, along with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver during their oversight visit.
- Despite not being a Member of Congress, Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, was detained for several hours during an oversight visit to an ICE detention center, a physical altercation occurring between him and Homeland Security officers.
- Following the detention of Ras Baraka, DHS suggested potential charges against the lawmakers, accusing them of breaking into the facility, yet footage from the incident shows the lawmakers, including Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver, entering and inspecting the center within the given time frame.
- In the annual appropriations act, members of Congress hold the right to enter any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security without prior notice in their oversight capacity, a law that does not extend to local officials like Ras Baraka.
- Watson Coleman, one of the lawmakers involved, refuted DHS's allegations, asserting the inaccuracy in the statement regarding the number of representatives present and stating that the lawmakers' actions were consistent with their authority under the appropriations act.
