Todd Blanche announces arrest of NJ protester who told ICE officer 'your children and wife are dead'

WASHINGTON, DC: The FBI has arrested a protester accused of threatening to kill a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer and his family during demonstrations outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on Friday, May 29. 

The arrest came less than 24 hours after Blanche publicly vowed that the individual, who was captured on video making the threats, would be identified and taken into custody. The arrest also came as anti-ICE demonstrations persisted on Friday, May 29, night despite New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s efforts to establish designated “peaceful” protest zones around the facility.

FBI arrest follows public threat against ICE officer and family

The protester was recorded directing threats at an ICE officer stationed outside Delaney Hall. In the video, the individual can be heard saying: “I will kill...your children and wife all dead. All dead!”

Blanche, on Thursday, May 28, described the remarks as a federal offense and vowed swift action. “That’s a federal crime,” Blanche said. “Not only threatening the ICE officer, but think about how disgusting this individual is by threatening his wife and his children with death.”

Blanche added that the officer had been “standing there” and performing his duties when the threats were made. Blanche then confirmed the arrest on social media. “Told you. FBI just arrested the man who threatened to kill ICE officers and their families. FAFO,” he wrote. 

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also praised the arrest. “Thank you to the FBI for arresting a rioter who threatened to kill an ICE law enforcement officer and his family outside Delaney Hall,” Mullin wrote on X.

He said, “Our officers are facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst.”

Protests continue despite designated demonstration zones

The arrest occurred against the backdrop of continuing unrest outside Delaney Hall, where demonstrations began over Memorial Day weekend following complaints from detainees regarding conditions inside the facility. Federal officials said approximately 100 protesters gathered outside the detention center. 

On Friday, May 29, protests continued despite Governor Sherrill’s announcement establishing designated protest areas intended to reduce tensions. “Our top priority is public safety, and we need to take this opportunity to lower the temperature now,” Sherrill said. She added that she would not provide ICE with “the pretext to expand operations” in New Jersey.

Video from Friday night showed protesters ignoring dispersal orders while officers in riot gear and mounted units attempted to push crowds away from the facility. Demonstrators were also seen breaching an orange security fence surrounding the site. At one point, protesters chanted, “Kill yourself, quit your job, quit your job.”

Federal officials have disputed claims from protesters regarding conditions inside Delaney Hall, arguing that detainees are receiving care and services that exceed standards found in many US correctional facilities.