Congresswoman Calls for Charges Over ICE Facility Incident

Rep. Ramonica McQuiver, a Democratic representative from New Jersey, has urged for federal assault charges against her, describing the situation as “absurd” during an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

The Department of Justice has accused McQuiver of attacking two federal agents and obstructing law enforcement during a confrontation at an ICE detention center earlier this month.

McQuiver responded to these accusations, asserting they were “absurd” and politically motivated. “I mean, I think the whole thing is just ridiculous. I was there to do my job alongside other colleagues,” she told CNN’s Kate Bordan. “ICE really escalated the entire situation.”

In her defense of the event at the ICE facility, McQuiver suggested that the charges against her are undesirable political threats arising from unfortunate circumstances. She mentioned, “It felt very unnecessary. If I’m being charged for simply doing my job, what does that say about the direction we’re heading in this country?”

While discussing possible negotiation with Alina Haba, the U.S. attorney for the New Jersey area, regarding her case, McQuiver highlighted that she turned it down because she wanted a clear acknowledgment from the Justice Department that she hadn’t committed any crime.

Three lawmakers from New Jersey, including Newark’s mayor, Ras Baraka, and McQuiver herself, were present outside the ICE facility with protesters. Initially, Baraka faced federal trespass charges, which were later dropped.

McQuiver, who is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, expressed that if given a chance, she wouldn’t change her actions and viewed it as her duty to ensure a fair process for those detained.

Allegations against McQuiver include “assaulting, resisting, and obstructing” two federal agents during their visit to the facility. The DOJ’s charging document cited body cam footage that reportedly shows McQuiver and others breaching the facility.

According to the DOJ, McQuiver’s actions included forcefully making contact with a Homeland Security investigation agent and trying to restrain them. As for the DOJ’s response, they have yet to comment on the situation.