Democrats Protest at Newark ICE Facility Over Detention of MS-13 Gang Members, Drawing GOP Criticism as Political Theater

Democratic leaders recently led a protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, drawing criticism from Republican officials and commentators. The protest targeted the detention of individuals identified as members of the MS-13 gang and other criminal illegal immigrants, including those accused of violent crimes such as murder and child sexual assault. Department of Homeland Security official McLaughlin and Senate GOP representatives condemned the Democrats for allegedly prioritizing the interests of criminal illegal aliens over American citizens and law enforcement. The event has been described by various opinion pieces as a political stunt or act of political theater, with Republicans asserting that Democrats are undermining law enforcement efforts related to immigration enforcement.