Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested Friday afternoon by federal agents at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center following a confrontation with officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The tense incident, captured on video by local media, occurred during a “congressional oversight” visit involving three New Jersey Democrats and concluded with Baraka, also a Democrat, being taken into custody in handcuffs after scuffliing with the lawmakers and others.
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According to U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings” to leave the premises.
In a sharply worded statement released following the arrest, Habba added, “The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”
Baraka was reportedly trying to accompany a congressional delegation touring the newly designated immigration detention facility at Delaney Hall. Although the visit was initially described as routine, tensions escalated after Baraka was first stopped at the gate, later permitted entry, and then allegedly inserted himself into discussions that federal agents considered unauthorized, reports added.
Video captured by News12NJ shows Baraka being escorted away in handcuffs following a heated verbal exchange with agents. While the exact details of the dispute remain unclear, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has characterized his actions as unlawful.
Baraka was released a few hours later, Fox News noted.
“They treated me pretty well, so a lot of respect for those guys in there, but at the end of the day, we didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “This should not have happened today, but it did, and it’s just an example of you know, the work that we have to do.”
Earlier Friday evening, a crowd—including several members of Congress—gathered outside the HSI Newark Field Office, where Baraka was being held. The group chanted, shouted, and pounded on the gate, demanding his immediate release.
During Baraka’s brief detention, a number of political leaders voiced strong support for his release.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., described Baraka’s arrest as “disturbing, unnecessary and indicative of tactics that are undermining the safety and security of our communities, not adding to it.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) also condemned the arrest, saying he was “outraged by the unjust detention.” Murphy pointed out that he signed legislation four years ago banning private federal immigration detention centers in the state, a law that New Jersey defended before a federal appeals court just last week.
Bob Hugin, the chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party, referred to Baraka’s actions as a “stunt” and highlighted that he had ignored multiple warnings from authorities.
“He’s not a mayor – he’s running for governor, and this stunt shows exactly what kind of leader he’d be: one who puts political theater ahead of public safety and the rule of law,” Hugin said.
The Trump White House also criticized Democrats for their continued defense of illegal immigrants set for deportation.
“As always, Democrats are prioritizing the welfare of illegal aliens over American citizens – except now they’re crossing the line between meaningless political street theatre and outright breaking the law,” White House spokesman Kush Desai told Fox News Digital.
