KEY POINT SUMMARY – Liberals fight ICE
• Liberals fight ICE after NJ Democrats join protest at detention center
• GOP resolution targets Reps. Menendez, McIver, and Watson Coleman
• DHS calls it a safety risk and slams the trio’s conduct
• Dems deny wrongdoing, allege assault by ICE agents
• House leadership defends its actions as lawful oversight

Liberals Fight ICE During Newark Facility Confrontation

The Liberals fight ICE saga escalated when three New Jersey Democrats entered a federal detention center in Newark during a protest over immigration enforcement. Now, GOP lawmakers are seeking to punish them by stripping their committee seats.

Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman say they were exercising oversight duties. But their critics call the move reckless and dangerous.

Republicans Push Back on Liberals Who Fight ICE

Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga, has introduced a resolution to remove the three lawmakers from their current House committee assignments. He described the incident as a “political stunt” that put federal officers and detainees at risk.

“The Liberals fight ICE moment went too far,” Carter said. “They ignored procedure and endangered lives just to make headlines.”

Menendez serves on Energy & Commerce, McIver holds seats on Homeland Security and Small Business, and Watson Coleman sits on the Appropriations Committee. The bill would remove them all.

DHS Condemns Democrats’ Entry into Detention Facility

The Department of Homeland Security sharply criticized the lawmakers, accusing them of rushing into the Delaney Hall Detention Center. Officials say the group entered during a detainee transfer, putting operations in jeopardy.

“Had they requested a tour, we would have provided one,” DHS said. “Breaking protocol like this is not only reckless but also illegal.”

The Liberals fight ICE storyline now reflects more than protest—it has become a legal and political battle over the boundaries of congressional authority.

Democrats Insist They Followed Protocol

The accused lawmakers quickly pushed back. Watson Coleman posted on X, “The idea we ‘stormed’ a secure detention facility is absurd.”

McIver said ICE officers physically pushed her and others aside, violating their rights. She cited ICE’s own published policies as evidence that their visit was within protocol.

“We were there in our capacity as elected officials,” McIver said. “What happened was unacceptable.”

Their allies maintain that the Liberals fight ICE event was a lawful oversight visit, not a breach of security.

House Democrats Rally Behind Accused Colleagues

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries came out in strong support of the trio. He condemned what he called intimidation by the Trump administration and criticized the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka during the protest.

“The agents who assaulted our members must be identified,” Jeffries said. “The charges against Mayor Baraka must be dropped immediately.”

He added that the Liberals fight ICE narrative is being twisted to silence criticism of the detention system.

What’s Next for the Liberals Who Fought ICE?

The GOP resolution may soon head to the floor, though its chances of passing remain unclear. While Republicans control the House, some members may hesitate to support committee removals tied to protest activity.

Still, the debate continues to stoke national attention on immigration enforcement and the role of lawmakers in confronting it.

As both parties dig in, the Liberals fight ICE conflict may shape future oversight protocols—and deepen the divide in Congress.