Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) spoke out on Wednesday after pleading "not guilty" in a criminal case stemming from a visit to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in her district.
McIver was arrested and charged with assaulting an ICE officer during a visit to a detention facility on May 9. President Donald Trump's administration has said it will arrest individuals who interfere with immigration operations.
McIver said the charges against her are an attempt to intimidate her into silence.
“They will not intimidate me," McIver said outside the New Jersey courthouse on Wednesday. "They will not stop me from doing my job."
Under federal law, members of Congress have a right to inspect ICE detention facilities. The Department of Homeland Security has enacted policy changes requiring Congressional lawmakers to request a visit 72 hours in advance.
