Newark Mayor Ras Baraka found himself in a contentious situation on Friday when he was apprehended at a federal immigration detention center, where he had been expressing his opposition. Baraka, who was held for several hours, was taken into custody on allegations of trespassing after refusing to leave Delaney Hall, despite warnings from authorities.
After his release around 8 p.m., Baraka emerged from an SUV amidst flashing emergency lights to address supporters who had gathered. He stated, “The reality is this: I didn’t do anything wrong.” However, he remained tight-lipped about the arrest details, honoring his legal counsel’s advice. He took the opportunity to express his steadfast support for his community, emphasizing inclusivity regardless of nationality or language, and urged the need to prevent division among people.
A staunch Democrat and candidate aiming to succeed Governor Phil Murphy, Baraka has been vocally resistant to the Trump administration’s approach to immigration. Particularly, he has challenged the creation and operation of the new 1,000-bed detention center, arguing the facility’s legality due to permit issues.
Linda Baraka, the mayor’s wife, accused federal authorities of targeting her husband. She remarked, “They didn’t arrest anyone else. They didn’t ask anyone else to leave. They wanted to make an example out of the mayor,” emphasizing her inability to see Baraka during his detention.
Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, took to social media to affirm that Baraka had indeed trespassed, disregarding legal boundaries at the facility managed by the Geo Group, a private prison operator. Habba criticized Baraka for allegedly choosing to defy the law.
Captured footage from the incident revealed that Baraka was detained after returning to the public section outside the facility gates. According to witnesses, the altercation intensified when Baraka tried to accompany New Jersey congressional representatives, including Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman, to the detention center. Their attempt to enter was obstructed by federal officials, which led to a heated verbal exchange, described by activist Viri Martinez as involving “yelling and pushing.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the lawmakers did not initially request a tour, which they claimed would have been accommodated. DHS alleged that a group of protesters, including two House Representatives, forced entry into the facility. However, a Watson Coleman representative disputed this, asserting the visit aimed to inspect rather than tour, emphasizing their lawful oversight authority.
Discrepancies continued with DHS releasing a statement misrepresenting the number of representatives present. Watson Coleman corrected the narrative, indicating their oversight visit was similar to past sessions at another detention center without controversy.
Footage from the site showed Baraka standing outside the facility’s secure gate, questioned by a federal official about his congressional status. The video captured a dialogue warning of pending arrest, to which Baraka retorted, asserting his presence in public space as a lawful zone. However, moments later, he was forcibly taken into custody by several ICE agents amid protesters’ cries of “Shame.”
The apprehension drew criticism from various rights groups and officials. The state’s Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin, critical of private detention facilities, condemned the arrest and clarified that no state or local law enforcement had participated.
Congressman Menendez echoed the sentiment, insisting on their right to oversight without prior notifications, suggesting the officials acted to intimidate and obstruct their oversight tasks.
The detention center, a former halfway house situated next to a county prison, is under a 15-year contract with Geo Group, valued at $1 billion. This contract forms part of a broader federal strategy to expand detention infrastructure, a key component of the Trump administration’s immigration policy.
Geo Group announced substantial revenue expectations from the facility, with its intake operations initiated in early May. DHS confirmed that the center’s permits were legitimate and all necessary inspections were completed.