House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) made headlines this week after responding to questions about potential legal consequences for House Democrats who participated in a protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
During a press interaction, Jeffries was asked about the possibility that members of his caucus could face arrest for their roles in the May 6 incident at Delaney Hall, a federally contracted ICE facility.
His response raised eyebrows: “We’ll find out,” Jeffries said, leaving open questions about whether that statement was intended as a warning to federal law enforcement agencies.
Q: What would you do if Democrat House members were arrested for physically assaulting ICE officers?
Hakeem Jeffries: “They’ll find out.”
— Kyle Martinsen (@KyleMartinsen_) May 13, 2025
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The comment came after a group of lawmakers, including Rep. Robert Menendez Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, reportedly attempted to enter the ICE facility without prior approval.
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According to sources familiar with the incident, body camera footage shows verbal altercations and physical confrontations between participants and facility personnel. DHS has not confirmed whether charges will be pursued, but federal officials are currently reviewing the incident.
Delaney Hall is known to house a range of federal immigration detainees, including individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes such as gang affiliation and violent offenses.
ICE sources have confirmed that members of MS-13 and individuals convicted of sexual offenses are among those held at the site.
The group of lawmakers and local officials reportedly attempted to gain access to the facility without prior coordination, which ICE officials say is required for any congressional visits.
“Members of Congress are always welcome to visit DHS facilities, but coordination and scheduling are necessary for security reasons,” a DHS spokesperson said.
Following the incident, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) also weighed in, stating, “If you lay a finger on any member of Congress, we’re going to have a problem.”
“If you lay a finger on them we are going to have a problem”
AOC is delusional and ICE should arrest all of you.
Full show: https://t.co/Eck8tFIGue pic.twitter.com/VbIj0zST0c
— Mammoth Nation (@MammothNationUS) May 12, 2025
The statement drew criticism from several corners, with opponents arguing that no individual, including elected officials, is above the law.
The protest at Delaney Hall comes amid broader tensions surrounding immigration policy and the Biden-era detention framework, which has remained largely unchanged under the Trump administration.
Activists have frequently targeted ICE facilities for demonstrations, but participation by sitting members of Congress in confrontational actions is rare.
Rep. Robert Menendez Jr., who took office in 2023, is also under increased public scrutiny following legal troubles involving both of his parents.
His father, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), is currently facing federal charges related to bribery and corruption, along with his wife, Nadine Menendez.
While the charges are unrelated to the Newark protest, the family’s ongoing legal challenges have drawn additional media attention.
The Department of Homeland Security has not issued a formal statement regarding possible legal actions tied to the Newark event.
Federal officials are expected to complete their review in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, congressional leaders from both parties have remained largely quiet on the matter.
While no arrests have been made to date, the incident has raised fresh questions about the boundaries of congressional conduct during protests and whether participation in such actions could lead to legal consequences.
As of Wednesday, there has been no confirmation of scheduled follow-up visits by members of Congress to Delaney Hall.
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