Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), the first-term congresswoman from Newark, is facing a federal misdemeanor charge after an incident during a congressional oversight tour of the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced the charge on Monday, alleging McIver assaulted a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer by “striking” them with her shoulder during a verbal dispute on April 5.

The incident allegedly occurred during a tense exchange between McIver and ICE staff, who reportedly attempted to block her from accessing parts of the facility. According to the criminal complaint, the confrontation escalated as McIver demanded to complete her inspection of the detention center, which houses immigrants in federal custody.

The charge—classified as a federal misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison—has sparked immediate backlash from members of Congress and civil rights advocates, who argue that the case represents a troubling attempt to suppress congressional oversight.

On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Congressmembers Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) issued a joint statement defending McIver and calling for the case to be dropped.

“We stand with Representative LaMonica McIver in the face of efforts to intimidate her and silence those who seek to hold this administration accountable,” the lawmakers said.

“Under federal law, members of Congress have the legally protected authority to conduct oversight inspections of immigration detention facilities. If Representative McIver had posed such a serious threat, she wouldn’t have been invited back inside the Delaney Hall facility to finish her tour that day.”

“Just today, a federal judge reprimanded Department of Justice prosecutors in court while dismissing similarly baseless charges brought against Newark’s mayor. The Department of Justice should drop the case against Representative McIver and direct their resources toward serious matters of public safety. Their focus should be on faithfully following the law, not settling political scores.”

The Department of Justice has not publicly commented on the lawmakers’ statement or the request to dismiss the case.

McIver’s supporters say she was fulfilling her duties as an elected official by investigating complaints about conditions at Delaney Hall, including reports of overcrowding, lack of access to legal counsel, and abuse. Her legal team has not yet released a formal statement, but sources close to McIver say she plans to plead not guilty and fight the charge in court.

The charge comes amid increased scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices nationwide and rising tensions between federal agencies and Democratic lawmakers advocating for immigrants’ rights. In recent years, members of Congress—particularly those of color—have reported facing resistance during facility inspections or whistleblower inquiries.

“This is not just about Rep. McIver,” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s about the message the federal government is sending to anyone who dares to speak truth to power.”

McIver, a former Newark City Council president who was elected to Congress in 2024, has made immigration justice a core part of her platform. She is scheduled to appear in court later this month.