Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents used pepper spray on Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and protesters on Monday in Newark.
The protesters gathered outside Delaney Hall, an immigrant detention center where some inmates are on a hunger strike to protest the facility’s conditions.
As reported by NJ.com, Kim tried to help reach an agreement between the agents and the protesters to ease the situation.
Sen. Andy Kim gets his eyes washed out by “medics” after getting between clashing federal agents and far left agitators blocking the entrance to Delaney Hall immigration detention center in NJ pic.twitter.com/kgwySgWs6F
— Elaad Eliahu (@elaadeliahu) May 25, 2026
At one point, the agents began pushing the crowd back and started firing projectiles that contained chemical irritants. The senator reportedly stood between the crowd and the agents, raising his arms as if to signal them to stop.
“It’s just burning,” Kim said after breathing in the chemicals.
Videos shared on social media show Kim receiving help after the incident.
“What we saw here is unfortunately just what we see all over the country,” Kim told NJ.com.
“It’s sad, it’s a sad day.”
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) was also present but was not allowed into the facility, which can hold up to 1,000 inmates.
The New York Times reported that she spoke with family members of detainees, who claimed they were given spoiled food and received poor medical care.
“No matter what your immigration status is, you shouldn’t be treated with anything less than dignity in this country,” she stated.
Last June, four detainees escaped from Delaney Hall during a protest regarding food.
The previous month, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested outside the building. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez Jr., and LaMonica McIver tried to get into the facility, using their congressional oversight powers. McIver was later charged with interfering with federal officers and pleaded not guilty.
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