Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) announced the birth of her second child, a daughter, on Thursday, as she faces federal charges stemming from an incident at an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest in May 2025. The first-term congresswoman stated that becoming a mother is "one of the greatest joys" of her life and expressed gratitude for the new arrival.
"Getting the chance to raise a family is a priority and a delight for me, something I hope everyone who wants to, gets the chance to do," McIver said in a statement. She added, "Bringing a child into the world is a reminder not only of why we fight for maternal healthcare and reproductive rights, but of why we fight for the rights and freedoms of our most vulnerable – they are someone’s babies too."
McIver is currently involved in legal proceedings related to a confrontation outside the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark. She faces three federal charges: assaulting, impeding, and interfering with federal law enforcement officers. Prosecutors allege that during the protest, McIver forcibly struck two federal officers.
In August, a federal appeals court denied McIver's attempt to have the charges dismissed. The court ruled that the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause, which protects members of Congress from certain legal actions related to their legislative duties, does not grant her immunity for the alleged acts of violence.
If convicted on all charges, McIver could face a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison. She is among a small number of members of Congress who have given birth while serving their terms.
McIver's office stated that she plans to spend October with her family, recovering and bonding with her newborn daughter, and intends to return to Washington D.C. in November.