U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), has been indicted on three federal charges after a May 9 incident at an immigration detention center in Newark, where she attempted to conduct an oversight visit alongside other lawmakers.
A federal grand jury in New Jersey returned the indictment Tuesday, accusing McIver of “forcibly impeding and interfering” with law enforcement officers during the confrontation at Delaney Hall—an ICE facility reopened under the Trump administration, allegedly without proper permitting.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 17 years. McIver has said she will plead not guilty, denying any wrongdoing.
“[It’s] an effort by Trump’s administration to dodge accountability for the chaos ICE caused,” McIver said in a statement. “The facts will prove I was simply doing my job.”
The incident drew national attention as it occurred amid rising tensions over the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement efforts. McIver was joined during the visit by Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, as well as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was briefly detained during the standoff. Charges against Baraka were later dropped. He has since filed a civil suit against interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, alleging false arrest.
The indictment alleges McIver twice obstructed federal officers from removing Baraka and struck an ICE agent with her forearm. Video footage showed a chaotic scene involving agents, police, journalists, and protesters outside the facility. In a statement, McIver called the indictment “a brazen attempt at political intimidation.”
On paper, McIver’s actions were legal. Federal law permits members of Congress to access ICE detention centers for oversight purposes without advance notice. McIver’s legal team and allies argue her actions were consistent with that authority.
Habba, a former personal attorney to Donald Trump, was appointed interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey in March. In a post on social media, she said her office is committed to ensuring federal officers can do their jobs safely.
While Habba has emphasized the need to protect law enforcement, critics have called the prosecution politically motivated. Rep. Watson Coleman said the case is “an assault on civil liberties,” further adding “these allegations are simply incorrect and inconsistent with the facts”.
Habba has drawn attention for her vocal public defense of Trump and has a record of involvement in high-profile but unsuccessful legal cases on his behalf. Her term as interim U.S. attorney is set to expire unless she is confirmed by the Senate.
McIver’s attorney, Paul Fishman, said they expect full exoneration. “We are eager to challenge these allegations head-on in court,” he said.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.