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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a leading Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor, was arrested on Friday for trespassing at the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark.
Baraka, accompanied by Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez Jr., and LaMonica McIver, attempted to conduct an oversight inspection of the facility, which they claim was reopened without proper permits and in violation of local ordinances. Despite warnings from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents to leave the premises, Baraka entered the facility and was subsequently detained.
The Delaney Hall facility, operated by private prison company GEO Group, has been a point of contention between local and federal authorities. Baraka and other city officials have raised concerns about the facility’s compliance with safety regulations, citing previous inspections that reportedly found violations endangering both detainees and staff. Baraka has been vocal in his opposition, pledging to protest daily until the facility is closed and insisting on comprehensive safety and health inspections.
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, defended the arrest, stating that Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center.” Habba emphasized that “no one is above the law,” referencing the federal government’s stance on the matter.
We’re at Delaney Hall, an ICE prison in Newark that opened without permission from the city & in violation of local ordinances.
We’ve heard stories of what it’s like in other ICE prisons. We’re exercising our oversight authority to see for ourselves.@RepLaMonica @RepMenendez pic.twitter.com/OIJuePH2XS
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) May 9, 2025
Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey @AlinaHabba announces the arrest of the Mayor of Newark for trespassing in an ICE facility: “NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.
“The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security… pic.twitter.com/Xq15XqSOt2
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 9, 2025
The incident has sparked a range of reactions from political figures. Democratic gubernatorial candidates Mikie Sherrill and Steven Fulop condemned the arrest, calling it an “absolute outrage” and warning of the dangerous precedent it sets. Conversely, Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli criticized Baraka’s actions as a “cheap publicity stunt,” arguing that the mayor should focus on addressing issues within Newark, such as crime and education.
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