Mayor Ras Baraka Detained Amid Demonstration at Newark Immigration Facility

Handcuffs with red and blue dramatic lighting.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and detained on trespassing charges at a federal immigration detention facility, but claims he was lawfully present and arrested while standing on public property.

Key Takeaways

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for allegedly trespassing at a new 1,000-bed ICE detention facility, though he denies entering the property illegally.
Baraka, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, was visiting Delaney Hall with congressional representatives when taken into custody by ICE agents.
The mayor has been opposing the facility, claiming it lacks proper permits and inspections, while DHS officials deny these allegations.
Governor Phil Murphy and congressional representatives have condemned the arrest, calling it an act of intimidation.
The incident highlights growing tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

Mayor’s Controversial Detention

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was detained and charged with trespassing at the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, which has recently opened as a 1,000-bed detention center. The arrest occurred during what appears to be a scheduled visit with members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation. According to sources familiar with the incident, Baraka maintains he was arrested while standing on public property outside the facility, not after illegally entering the premises as federal authorities claim.

Alina Habba, interim US Attorney for New Jersey, accused Baraka of deliberately disregarding the law by trespassing on federal property. However, eyewitnesses, including congressional representatives present during the incident, dispute this characterization. Baraka himself recounted being put in a cell and having his fingerprints and mug shot taken before being released after his initial court appearance, where he was formally charged with one count of trespassing.

BREAKING: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been arrested at an ICE detention facility for allegedly trespassing, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey says. https://t.co/A9n78qyDVw

— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 9, 2025

Political Implications and Ongoing Dispute

The arrest comes at a significant time for Baraka, who is currently seeking the Democratic party’s nomination for governor of New Jersey. The mayor has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and specifically opposes the operation of the Delaney Hall facility. Baraka has repeatedly raised concerns about the detention center, claiming it lacks proper building permits and has not undergone necessary inspections, potentially creating unsafe conditions for detainees.

Tricia McLaughlin, representing the Department of Homeland Security, described Baraka’s actions as political theater, suggesting the mayor is using the situation to gain attention for his gubernatorial campaign. DHS officials have categorically denied allegations that the facility is operating illegally or without proper authorization. The department also claimed that congressional members were “storming the gate” at the facility, an accusation the representatives strongly deny.

State and Federal Jurisdictional Conflict

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed outrage over Baraka’s arrest, pointing to a state law that prohibits private immigration detention centers from operating within New Jersey. This highlights the growing tension between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement responsibilities. The governor’s intervention signals potential escalation in the jurisdictional dispute between New Jersey’s government and federal immigration authorities under President Trump’s administration.

Congressional Representatives Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman have characterized Baraka’s arrest as an intimidation tactic by federal authorities. According to these lawmakers, they were invited to tour the facility as part of their congressional oversight duties, and Baraka was accompanying them in an official capacity. They further alleged that ICE agents physically shoved members of Congress during the confrontation, contradicting DHS claims about the incident.

Mayor Promises Continued Scrutiny

Despite his arrest, Mayor Baraka has publicly stated his intention to continue efforts to gain entry to the detention facility and scrutinize its operations. His concerns center on the treatment of immigrants held at the location and the facility’s compliance with local regulations. The mayor maintains that his presence at the facility was lawful, as he was invited to attend a news conference alongside congressional representatives who were conducting an official visit.

The incident has drawn national attention to Newark and raised questions about transparency in federal immigration operations. Baraka’s detention represents a rare instance of a sitting mayor being arrested while attempting to exercise oversight of a federal facility operating within city limits. The legal proceedings that follow will likely address important questions about the boundaries between municipal authority and federal jurisdiction in immigration matters.