ICE director finds Newark center incident ‘disheartening’
The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), todd Lyons, expressed concern over a recent incident at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark, following the arrest of Newark mayor Ras Baraka and a protest involving Democratic Representatives. Lyons stated that ICE was adhering too legal standards in managing the detention center, emphasizing the importance of following the law enacted by Congress. The incident included attempts by local officials to enter the facility, which Lyons described as inappropriate and a risk to officer safety. He criticized the political grandstanding surrounding the protest, noting that some visiting officials were surprised by the center’s condition. The controversy highlights tensions related to immigration policies and the actions taken by local leaders.
Acting ICE director finds Newark detention center incident ‘disheartening’
Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons said his agency was operating its Delaney Hall Detention Center properly under “the law Congress enacted.”
Lyons appeared on Fox News’s America Reports following Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest outside the detention center. The Department of Homeland Security has also accused Reps. Rob Menendez (D-NJ), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) of storming the facility as part of a protest over Trump administration policies regarding immigration.
“There’s a certain section of the statute, we can’t have mixed parties. Local officials can’t attend. The mayor tried to come in. They walked in while tailgating another vehicle. That’s not the right way to do it,” Lyons explained Wednesday on Fox News’s America Reports. “That’s what ICE is saying, we’re all about transparency. … All ICE agents and officers ask for is to be treated with respect and follow the Appropriations Act from Congress.”
According to Lyons, one of the New Jersey members was “surprised at how well-kept” the center was at the time of their unannounced visit. Lyons has also given tours to Fox News and CBS News. However, during this most recent tour, McIver got physical with officers attempting to arrest Baraka. No charges have been filed by the Department of Justice, but McIver was recorded on video pushing officers just outside the center’s gate.
“I would say, as an elected official, we would really expect more when they do oversight like that. For us, that was definitely a troubling moment. Not only does it put them at harm to have protesters, the mayor — it puts officers and agents on edge. It’s an officer safety thing, and the way they went about it was totally wrong,” Lyons said. “It’s disheartening for ICE that a lot of political grandstanding is going on. All we were trying to do was follow the law Congress enacted in 2020.”
ALINA HABBA WARNED NOT TO DISCUSS NEWARK MAYOR RAS BARAKA AFTER ARREST
McIver is also possibly facing consequences in the House of Representatives.
Lyons was the director of the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Field Office before his temporary promotion. In February, he replaced then-acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello.
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