URGENT UPDATE: Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke and Representatives Rob Menendez and LaMonica McIver toured the Delaney Hall ICE Facility in Newark, NJ, today, following the tragic death of Haitian migrant Jean Wilson Brutus while in ICE custody. This incident has spurred immediate calls for accountability and the facility’s closure amidst alarming reports of inhumane conditions.
During the visit, Clarke expressed outrage, stating, “No human being deserves to suffer the conditions we witnessed… This administration has demonstrated nothing but cruelty through their immigration policies.” She emphasized that Brutus’s death, along with four reported deaths in ICE custody in recent weeks, highlights a systemic failure within the agency.
Clarke called the lack of transparency from the Trump Administration “despicable,” asserting that any death in U.S. custody should be deemed a government responsibility. “Being undocumented should not be a death sentence,” she declared, vowing to demand accountability and monitor the situation closely.
This visit comes at a critical time, as reports of systemic abuse within detention facilities have surged, raising questions about the treatment of detainees across the country. Clarke’s emotional response to witnessing the fear and grief among detainees serves as a stark reminder of the human impact of these policies.
In a separate but related issue, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman has demanded a classified briefing regarding the recent pause on all offshore wind projects, including the Empire Wind 1 project. Goldman criticized the decision, which he argues hampers job creation and energy affordability, particularly in New York’s 10th Congressional District.
Goldman’s letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum highlights the project’s potential to create over 4,000 jobs and generate 810 megawatts of electricity, enough to power half a million homes. He pointed out that since Trump took office, electricity prices have risen by 13 percent nationwide, exacerbating the affordability crisis.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Adam Schiff are championing the Keeping Our Agents On The Line Act, aiming to restrict Border Patrol agents’ deployment to areas closer to the U.S. borders. The bill seeks to prevent agents from being reassigned to operations in American cities, where they often lack the training for complex civil immigration investigations, leading to fear and community disruption.
In response to soaring Black unemployment rates, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Chairwoman Clarke have urged the Federal Reserve to address the crisis. With Black unemployment hitting 8.3 percent—the highest since 2021—they demand a briefing on how the Fed plans to respond, highlighting the urgent need for equitable economic policies.
These developments come as the Monopoly Busters Caucus criticizes the Trump Administration for terminating a vital partnership with state attorneys general, which aimed to enhance competition in the agriculture industry. This decision, they claim, threatens to escalate food prices for American consumers and worsen the economic plight of farmers.
As these stories unfold, the emotional and human impact remains profound. The actions of lawmakers today emphasize a growing urgency for accountability and reform within the immigration and economic sectors. The public is urged to follow these developments closely, as they represent critical responses to ongoing systemic challenges.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
