Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - A federal appeals court recently ruled against dismissing a case accusing New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver of allegedly assaulting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
According to The New York Times, the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled 2-1 on Wednesday that the prosecution of McIver can now be moved to trial.
The case stems from an incident in May 2025 in which several New Jersey lawmakers visited the state's Delaney Hall immigration detention center to conduct congressional oversight of the facility.
Things grew heated as armed ICE agents refused to let them in. Amid the tension, McIver allegedly "slammed her forearm" into one officer, while another claimed she tried to "strike" him with both forearms.
McIver, who is running for reelection, is now facing up to 17 years in prison if convicted.
In a statement shared on X, McIver said that she believes the court "got it wrong," arguing that elected officials should be allowed to conduct such oversight "without fear and intimidation."
"Today’s decision chills that authority and emboldens the Trump administration to continue persecuting our most vulnerable communities, those who try to defend them, and anyone who dares hold the president or his lackeys accountable. I will not fold to this administration," McIver wrote."
The congresswoman went on to say she and her team are "exploring every possible option," further adding that "this is not over."