Newark, NJ — Today, the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of New Jersey issued the following joint statement in response to the indictment of Representative LaMonica McIver on federal charges brought by the Department of Justice for an alleged altercation with immigration officers outside a New Jersey immigrant detention center. 

“The announcement by US Attorney Alina Habba of the indictment of Representative McIver for conducting appropriate oversight function is troubling. These charges can be construed as a weapon to scare and silence those who challenge this current administration, which is inappropriate in a functioning democracy.  

“Representative McIver is the second Black elected official from New Jersey targeted in recent days for conducting oversight within their legal purview. This sets an unsettling and dangerous precedent that dissent and oversight will be criminalized.”