Arizona Representative Andy Biggs is calling for full prosecution of individuals who assaulted federal officers during days of unrest outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
The clashes, which escalated as protests intensified, resulted in multiple arrests and injuries to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.
Biggs said the violence directed at law‑enforcement officers requires a strong federal response. He wrote, “Those who attack the men and women serving in law enforcement must be held accountable under the full weight of the law. We cannot tolerate this anarchy threatening the order of our communities and nation.”
Federal officials announced the first charges stemming from the confrontations. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department has filed charges against a demonstrator accused of assaulting ICE officers.
Blanche wrote, “Today @TheJusticeDept charged rioter Brendan John Geier for allegedly kicking and biting ICE officers at Delaney Hall last night. We will not tolerate the vicious attacks on ICE officers we’ve seen in New Jersey the last few days. These riots are clearly not ‘peaceful protests’ as you can see from the photos of these horrific wounds. Assault a federal officer, you’ll be held accountable.”
The protests began after immigrant‑advocacy groups said detainees launched a hunger strike over conditions inside the 1,000‑bed facility. Demonstrators attempted to block vehicles, link arms to obstruct entrances, and use makeshift shields to prevent officers from clearing access points. ICE personnel in helmets and tactical vests deployed pepper spray and batons as the confrontations escalated.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill ordered state police to establish protest zones and vehicle checkpoints after several nights of violence. “It has grown unsafe, and that’s completely unacceptable,” she said, adding that the goal was to “lower the temperature” and prevent further clashes. State police erected barriers while ICE officers moved behind the facility’s perimeter fence.
Officials said at least six demonstrators were arrested Wednesday night for allegedly assaulting law‑enforcement officers, with additional arrests on other evenings. Blanche released images showing bloodied and bruised ICE personnel, describing the injuries as evidence of the severity of the attacks.
Reactions among protesters were mixed. Some objected to the designated protest areas, arguing the restrictions limited their ability to demonstrate. Others supported the changes, saying they allowed for safer conditions while maintaining visibility for their cause.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the deployment of state police a “win for law and order,” noting that state officials had resisted the move earlier in the week. State Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the priority was to “de‑escalate” the situation, adding that “violence, either against protesters or by protesters, is unacceptable.”
