Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing a stern warning from the Department of Homeland Security: If she follows through on her latest pledge to confront federal immigration authorities, she could face arrest.
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, told Fox News on Monday that Ocasio-Cortez may be subject to arrest if she engages in what the department views as obstruction or trespassing at immigration facilities—similar to recent actions by other Democratic officials.
“If she trespasses or assaults law enforcement officers, as we’ve seen in other cases, that’s certainly on the table,” McLaughlin stated on The Bottom Line. “Many Democrats claim they’re simply conducting congressional oversight, but what we’re witnessing is more like political theater.”
The warning comes after Ocasio-Cortez posted a video to Instagram on Sunday in response to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Baraka was taken into custody after reportedly clashing with ICE agents outside a New Jersey detention facility where he was denied entry.
According to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Baraka was arrested for trespassing and ignoring repeated warnings to leave the premises. DHS officials described the confrontation as “chaotic,” alleging Baraka joined others in an attempt to storm the facility’s gates, resulting in a physical altercation. Also present were Democratic Reps. Rob Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver of New Jersey.
“If they had simply requested a tour, we would have facilitated it. We require 24-hour notice, and that protocol was ignored,” said McLaughlin. “This is political gamesmanship, and we won’t compromise the safety of our law enforcement officers.”
Rep. Coleman later asserted the group was exercising congressional oversight and was eventually escorted into the facility. However, in her video, Ocasio-Cortez issued a pointed warning: “You lay a finger on Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman or any of the representatives that were there, and we’re going to have a problem.”
The day after Baraka’s arrest, ICE released bodycam footage showing the incident, and later accused Rep. McIver of assaulting an ICE agent.
McLaughlin defended the detention center in question, Delaney Hall, saying it houses individuals suspected or convicted of serious crimes, including “rapists, child predators, MS-13 gang members, and even suspected terrorists.”
As tensions rise between Democratic lawmakers and federal immigration officials, the incident highlights growing political friction over border enforcement and oversight authority.
