House

McIver unveils ICE oversight measure one year after visit that resulted in indictment

by Sophie Brams - 05/13/26 11:29 PM ET

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by Sophie Brams - 05/13/26 11:29 PM ET

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Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) is introducing legislation aimed at protecting congressional oversight powers, a year after a scuffle at an immigration detention facility in her home state resulted in criminal charges against her.

The measure would “permanently codify the existing right of members of Congress to conduct oversight” of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

It would require DHS to grant congressional lawmakers “immediate access” to detention facilities and cancel federal contracts with private entities that do not comply with the law.

McIver announced the legislation on Tuesday, noting that two of the House Democrats who were with her during the incident at Delaney Hall Detention Facility last May — New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez — are co-sponsors.

“This has been ICE’s deadliest year in 30 years and the nation is calling for action,” McIver said in a statement “That’s why I’m introducing this bill to reaffirm the people’s right to have someone speak up for the voiceless, go where others are not allowed, uncover the abuses that we know take place in the dark, and stop the brutality against our immigrant neighbors.”

McIver is currently awaiting trial on three felony counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with a federal officer. She pleaded not guilty to the charges in June.

Federal prosecutors have alleged that McIver interfered with agents outside the Newark, N.J., center amid the arrest of the city’s Democratic mayor, Ras Baraka.

U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper, a Biden appointee, refused to dismiss the charges in November based on McIver’s arguments that the Trump administration was politically motivated in prosecuting her. She has appealed the ruling.

McIver visited the ICE detention center again in December amid reports that a 41-year-old Haitian immigrant died “from suspected natural causes” while in custody at the facility.

After returning to Delany Hall on Monday morning, Menendez wrote on the social platform X that the conditions were the same as during his previous visit.

“No improvements—only more heartbreaking stories,” he said. “We need to keep the pressure on to close this facility – for good.”

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