NEWARK, N.J. – Federal authorities say two people were arrested after anti-ICE protesters allegedly assaulted immigration officers with a chemical substance during a confrontation Tuesday night at Newark’s Delaney Hall ICE detention facility.
In a statement posted to X, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were attacked while carrying out their duties amid escalating demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement operations.
“Tonight, ICE law enforcement officers were assaulted by anti-ICE rioters who sprayed law enforcement with an unknown chemical substance,” Mullin wrote.
According to the statement, two individuals were taken into custody on charges including assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal officers. Federal officials did not immediately identify the suspects or disclose the nature of the chemical allegedly used during the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that assaults on federal law enforcement personnel will be prosecuted aggressively. Mullin warned that interfering with ICE officers is a felony offense under federal law.
“Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the secretary stated.
Federal officials have increasingly warned that demonstrations crossing into violence or obstruction could lead to criminal prosecution amid increasingly violent and sometimes staged riots at immigration enforcement facilities nationwide.
No injuries were immediately reported by authorities, and as of this writing, no additional details about the confrontation or whether further arrests are expected have been released.
ICE and DHS officials have not announced whether the chemical substance involved has been identified or tested. Federal investigators are continuing to review the incident.
