Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNew Jersey Senator Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed by ICE officers while attempting to de-escalate a confrontation between protesters and agents at a Newark detention center. Senator Kim expressed significant concern that the ongoing tensions between protesters and ICE agents in New Jersey could escalate into further violent clashes. Protests at the Delaney Hall facility stem from allegations of poor detainee conditions and a hunger strike, claims denied by federal officials, including DHS Secretary Marwayne Mullin. The Senate is debating additional funding for ICE, with Democrats previously refusing authorization after fatal shootings involving ICE and DHS agents in Minneapolis. A Republican-led reconciliation package to fund ICE has stalled due to the White House's insistence on including a $1.776 billion "slush fund" for individuals prosecuted under the Biden and Obama administrations. In fullSenator pepper-sprayed at ICE protest says he fears New Jersey could see repeat of Minneapolis violenceThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in