DHS – ARRESTS – Possibly Coming For THEM?!
DHS threatens to arrest House Democrats following chaotic confrontation at newly reopened immigration detention facility in Newark.
At a Glance
- DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claims Congress members assaulted ICE officers during an oversight visit and suggested arrests may follow
- Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was charged with trespassing during the incident at Delaney Hall detention center
- Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver deny allegations of violence, calling them “absurd”
- In a separate case, 103 Members of Congress are demanding answers about Mahmoud Khalil’s detention and Green Card revocation
- Judge Jesse Furman has temporarily halted Khalil’s deportation pending review of the case
Confrontation at Newark Immigration Facility Escalates to Potential Arrests
A visit by three New Jersey Democratic Congress members to the recently reopened Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark has escalated into a serious confrontation with federal authorities. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claimed members of Congress assaulted ICE officers during the incident, including allegations that someone “body-slammed” a female officer.Â
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was charged with trespassing during the tumult, and McLaughlin indicated that arrests of Congress members remain “on the table” as the investigation continues.
The three Congress members involved – Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver – visited the facility for oversight purposes but claim they were met with aggression from ICE officials.
All three strongly deny any violence occurred during the incident. Watson Coleman, who is 80 years old, called the allegations “absurd” and accused DHS of lying about the confrontation. Mayor Baraka similarly dismissed the assault allegations as “ridiculous” and denied the trespassing charges against him.
Congress Demands Answers on Khalil Case
In a separate but related development highlighting tensions over immigration enforcement, 103 Members of Congress led by Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Jamie Raskin, and Mary Gay Scanlon are seeking answers from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and State Secretary Marco Rubio regarding the detention of Mahmoud Khalil. The congressional representatives have expressed concern over the revocation of Khalil’s Green Card under what they describe as an obscure statute in the Immigration and Nationality Act, requesting a response by March 27th, 2025.
Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, was arrested and detained with attempts made to revoke his Green Card. The congressional letter notes that no crimes have been alleged against Khalil, nor has any explanation been provided for how his free speech activities might have foreign policy consequences. Judge Jesse Furman has temporarily prevented Khalil’s removal while considering the legality of the arrest and detention procedures used in his case.
Broader Implications for Immigration Enforcement
The current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement has sparked significant concerns about potential overreach. According to the congressional letter, former President Trump indicated Khalil’s removal would be “the first of many,” and threats were issued to universities protecting non-citizen students involved in protests. The letter was endorsed by numerous organizations advocating for civil liberties, human rights, and immigrant rights who view these cases as potential threats to constitutional protections.
The confrontation at Delaney Hall and the Khalil case represent mounting tensions between immigration enforcement agencies and elected officials over the proper boundaries of enforcement actions. DHS spokesperson McLaughlin has emphasized that there will be “zero tolerance” for assaults on ICE agents, while congressional representatives maintain they were carrying out legitimate oversight functions when the confrontation occurred. These incidents highlight the ongoing debate over how to balance enforcement priorities with constitutional protections.
