Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, was taken into custody this Friday at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center during a demonstration against the recently opened ICE facility. A spokesperson for the politician's campaign, who is one of the six leading Democratic candidates vying in the gubernatorial primaries, stated they were unaware of the specific charges against the mayor.
On the social media platform X, Alina Habba, a former attorney for Trump who now serves as acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, confirmed Baraka's arrest and accused him of trespassing. "Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark committed trespassing and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to leave the ICE detention center in Newark, NJ, this afternoon. He has deliberately chosen to disregard the law. This will not be tolerated in this state. He has been taken into custody. No one is above the law," Habba stated.
Members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation were also present at the ICE detention facility, Delaney Hall, at the time of the mayor's arrest. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a Democratic Congresswoman from New Jersey, expressed opposition to the center, stating, "It was opened without the city's permission and in violation of local ordinances." She added, "We've heard stories about other ICE prisons and are exercising our oversight authority to witness it firsthand," in a post on X.
The Department of Homeland Security refuted claims on social media that they lacked the necessary permits, asserting that detainees at the center are "the worst of the worst." They declared, "Delaney Hall Detention Center houses MS-13 gang members, terrorists, child predators, and THE WORST OF THE WORST! This sanctuary lawmakers' stunt endangers the safety of our law enforcement and detainees."
Baraka's arrest occurs amid an escalation of Trump's immigration policies and concerns over the conditions in which migrants are held in ICE facilities. Recently, there have been reports of immigrant deaths under ICE custody in Processing Service Centers, such as Krome North in South Florida. This has raised alarms about inadequate medical care and the dire conditions faced by detainees.
Between December and April, four individuals died in these centers, constituting half of all ICE custody deaths in the fiscal year 2025. Autopsy reports and medical experts suggest that some of these deaths might have been preventable with more timely and adequate medical attention.
Key Questions About ICE Detention and Arrests
Why was Mayor Ras Baraka arrested?
Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for allegedly trespassing and ignoring warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to leave the ICE detention center in Newark.
What is the controversy surrounding the ICE detention centers?
The controversy involves reports of inadequate medical care, poor conditions for detainees, and the opening of facilities without local permissions, sparking protests and criticism from lawmakers.
What has the Department of Homeland Security said about the detention center?
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that the center houses dangerous individuals and claimed that it operates with all required permits, denying any violations.