Incident Overview

Ras Baraka, the Democratic Mayor of Newark, was arrested on Friday afternoon while accompanying several congressional representatives at Delaney Hall, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. This facility, operated by the GEO Group, recently reopened and began housing detainees earlier this month.

Details of the Arrest

Baraka’s arrest occurred amid a visit spearheaded by Congress members Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman, who were there for oversight purposes. Tensions escalated when federal officials denied Baraka access to the tour.

Witness Viri Martinez, an activist with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, reported, “There was yelling and pushing. Then the officers swarmed Baraka. They threw one of the organizers to the ground, handcuffed him, and placed him in an unmarked vehicle.”

Footage shared by News 12 journalist Amanda Lee captured the situation as Baraka was led away in handcuffs, underscoring the dramatic nature of the event.

Official Responses

Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, stated that Baraka faced charges of trespassing, having ignored multiple warnings issued by Homeland Security. “He has willingly chosen to disregard the law,” Habba added, asserting that “no one is above the law.”

The mayor’s office indicated that he was taken to an ICE office for processing and promised to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Political Ramifications

The visit of the congressional delegation aimed to address concerns about the legality and operations of Delaney Hall, which has been criticized for opening without city permission. Watson Coleman remarked, “We are here to oversee a facility that violates local ordinances and to understand its conditions firsthand.”

The Department of Homeland Security defended the facility’s operations, claiming they possess valid permits and have passed necessary inspections, countering allegations from local politicians.

Broader Implications

Political candidate Kat Abughazaleh expressed her outrage on social media, stating, “They are arresting elected officials for peacefully opposing the regime’s illegal actions.” This incident raises critical questions about the intersection of local governance, federal authority, and immigrant rights.