Democrats Storm Newark ICE Facility Housing Murderers, MS-13 Members

In a chaotic scene in Newark, New Jersey, Democratic lawmakers and protesters stormed the gates of Delaney Hall Detention Center, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, on Friday. Their stated mission? To conduct an "oversight visit" and advocate for detainees. But the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) paints a starkly different picture, labeling those inside as "murderers, terrorists, child rapists, and MS-13 gang members."

The group, including members of Congress, reportedly chased a bus carrying detainees and breached the facility’s security gate. Homeland Security footage circulating on X shows Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., pushing past officials, despite her claims that ICE agents "shoved" her and "manhandled" Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J.

DHS didn’t mince words, highlighting the dangerous profiles of some detainees. Take Chinchilla Caballero, arrested in Bloomfield, New Jersey, on April 29. He’s an active MS-13 gang member with multiple law enforcement flags. Then there’s Ramos Marin, wanted in Brazil for homicide and flagged by an INTERPOL Red Notice. Both are now in ICE custody awaiting removal proceedings.

The arrests didn’t stop there. On May 1, ICE detained Saravia Santamaria, an El Salvadoran with verified MS-13 ties, in North Bergen. On May 5, Adonis Estevez Bello, a 23-year-old Dominican with felony convictions for drug trafficking and weapons charges, was picked up. He’s linked to the "Dominicans Don’t Play" street gang. The same day, Maximo Nunez, a 58-year-old with a rap sheet including assault with intent to kill, was also detained.

The White House condemned the lawmakers’ actions as "crossing the line," while DHS took to X to underscore the severity of the detainees’ crimes. This incident raises tough questions: Where’s the balance between oversight and security? And why the rush to defend those with such serious charges?