Rep. LaMonica McIver made another stop at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in New Jersey to repeat her calls to close it.
The Tuesday visit came six months after her previous confrontation that resulted in federal assault charges against the New Jersey Democrat.
This time she was with fellow Democratic Reps. Rob Menendez of New Jersey and Yvette Clarke of New York.
The lawmakers’ visit came just days after the death of Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian illegal immigrant who was detained at Delaney Hall. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced his death a day after he was apprehended.
“Today we demanded answers about the death of Mr. Brutus in ICE custody and spoke to people being mistreated,” Ms. McIver said on social media. “It was difficult to be back at Delaney Hall, but I have a responsibility to serve the people and protect the 10th” Congressional District.
In another post, she said a detainee told the lawmakers that “‘this is not the America that we dreamed of.’”
She added, “They thought they would be able to come here and have a better life. The Trump administration is turning the American dream into a nightmare.”
There had been a fight over whether the lawmakers could access the facility. A federal judge ruled against ICE’s new policy that tried to limit their oversight at places holding migrants.
The judge said lawmakers do not have to give seven days’ notice before visiting.
Ms. McIver is facing federal criminal charges for getting physical with ICE agents who tried to block her from entering the New Jersey facility in May when she visited with Mr. Menendez and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey Democrat.
“The charges against me are purely political — they mischaracterize and distort my actions, and are meant to criminalize and deter legislative oversight,” Ms. McIver said. “This administration will never stop me from working for the people in our district and standing up for what is right.”
She pleaded not guilty, and the case is pending.
