The crowds have invaded New Jersey immigration facilities, the Department of Homeland Security said. Democrats said they are using watchdogs.
The conflict exploded at the New Jersey Detention Center on Friday after a group of three Democrats and protesters entered federal immigration facilities without approval, and accused lawmakers of storming gates and putting public safety at risk, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The group allegedly occupied Guard Shack when a bus carrying detainees entered the facility and advanced to the first checkpoint. DHS said the lawsuit was an illegal violation that puts law enforcement officials and detainees at risk, some of which are suspected of murderers, rapists, gang members and terrorists.
“The members of Congress rushing into detention facilities go beyond strange political stunts, putting our law enforcement and the safety of detainees at risk,” Deputy Director Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “Council members are not beyond the law and cannot illegally enter detention facilities. If these members had requested tours, they would have encouraged tours of the facilities.”
Related Stories
Video footage shared with the media outlet shows Baraka being handcuffed by officers after an oral dispute outside the gate. Witnesses said the conflict escalated when Baraka tried to join the Congressional delegation as she entered the facility but was blocked by federal officials.
Baraka, a Democrat running for the success of limited time New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, is an opponent of the voices of Delaney Hall’s reopening, and has filed a lawsuit against ICE and Geo Group. The 1,000 Bed Center began intake work on May 1, and is part of the broader Trump administration’s efforts to expand immigration detention capacity across the country.
“Around 1pm today, my colleague @Replamonica @Repmenendez and I arrived at Delaney Hall Ice Detention Facility in Newark to exercise the watchdog as members of Congress,” Coleman wrote. “Contrary to the press conference announced by the DHS, we did not ‘raid’ the detention center. ”
Watson Coleman also attended Rep. Lamonica McQuiver (DN.J.), who criticized DHS for not acknowledging her in the statement. She says the group was repeatedly delayed at the gate and eventually escorted inside.
“Reopening Delaney Hall will not make us safer and will not create an immigration system that is fair and safe for all families,” she added. She condemned the centre that prioritizes profits over justice and legitimate processes.
In his remarks to the news outlet, McLaughlin called Baraka the “sanctuary mayor” whose “political attitude” puts ice agents and detainees at risk. She said that despite being told that if appropriate protocols were followed, Baraka repeatedly refused to follow standard entry procedures.
The Epoch Times contacted the offices of DHS, McLaughlin and Baraka for comments.
Jack Phillips and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
