1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

Act Now: Congress Blocked, Constitution Breached — Our Democracy Is in Danger On May 9, 2025, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Robert Menendez Jr., and LaMonica McIver attempted a lawful oversight visit to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, NJ. They were denied entry—a clear act of obstruction. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, accompanying them in support, was arrested for trespassing. Let me be clear: This is a direct assault on our democracy. Under U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 1, Congress has explicit oversight authority over federal agencies. Under ICE’s own policy (“Facility Access for Congressional Delegations”), members of Congress must be allowed to tour detention facilities. https://www.ice.gov/doclib/detention/iceFacilityVisitationCongressional.pdf By denying entry and arresting a sitting mayor, ICE and DHS have likely violated: • 18 U.S. Code § 1505 (Obstruction of congressional proceedings) • U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 6 (Speech or Debate Clause: protecting members during official duties) • 5 U.S.C. § 2954 (Agency accountability to House committees) • And arguably the First Amendment, if political viewpoints played a role in denial of access This illegal interference occurs alongside: • A threat to suspend habeas corpus in violation of Article I, Section 9 • Use of the Alien Enemies Act without a congressional war declaration (Article I, Section 8) • Open racial bias: welcoming white Afrikaner “refugees” while deporting Black and Brown asylum seekers—fueled by Elon Musk’s false “white genocide” rhetoric from a White House advisory role If Congress can be physically blocked from oversight, and a U.S. mayor arrested for standing beside them, we are beyond authoritarian drift—we are there. I demand immediate action: 1. Launch a congressional investigation into ICE and DHS 2. Hold public hearings on interference with constitutional duties 3. Censure or impeach officials who participated in unlawful obstruction 4. Restore and enforce checks on executive power—urgently The power of Congress means nothing if it can be locked out and silenced. If you won’t protect your own institution, who will protect the people?