Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) has been arrested for allegedly trespassing at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in New Jersey.
U.S. Attorney Alina Haba announced on X that Baraka was detained after entering the Delaney Hall ICE Detention Center, ignoring “multiple warnings” from the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“Mayor Ras Baraka has committed a trespass at the New Jersey ICE detention center today, disregarding several warnings from Homeland Security,” Haba remarked. “He chose to ignore the law, which won’t be tolerated in this state. He has been detained. No one is above the law.”
Baraka’s arrest occurred following his involvement with several Democrats, including Rep. Lamonica McLiver (D-NJ) and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), who sought “federal oversight” of Delaney Hall.
According to PIX11 News, Baraka’s office stated he was taken to the Newark ICE Field Office.
Witnesses indicated that Baraka was arrested while attempting to join three members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation on a prearranged tour of the facility.
Witness accounts suggested that tensions escalated when federal officials prevented his entry, as noted by Vili Martinez, an activist with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. The situation further developed when Baraka returned to the public side of the gate.
In a statement, Deputy Director of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin asserted that congressional members “must respect the law and cannot unlawfully enter detention facilities.” She added that if council members had wished to tour the site, the DHS would have facilitated such requests.
“The actions of congressional members rushing into detention centers go beyond mere political theatrics and endanger both law enforcement and the safety of detainees,” McLaughlin continued. “Members of Congress are not exempt from the law and cannot illegally enter these facilities. Had they followed the proper channels, tours could have been arranged. This situation is ongoing.”
