Newark Mayor Baraka Arrested During Protest at ICE Detention Center

Open handcuff hanging on white prison bars

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on trespassing charges at an ICE detention facility while accompanying congressional members, sparking outrage from Democrats and support from Trump administration officials.

Key Takeaways

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and charged with trespassing at a new 1,000-bed ICE detention facility in Newark, then released after his initial court appearance.
Baraka, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, claims he was unjustly arrested on public property while supporting congressional members touring the facility.
The mayor has been protesting the facility, citing lack of proper permits, while the Trump administration accuses him of political grandstanding.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed outrage over the arrest, pointing to a state law banning private immigration detention centers.
Interim US Attorney Alina Habba accused Baraka of disregarding the law, while DHS officials claim congressional members “stormed the gate” of the facility.

Mayor Arrested During Contentious Facility Visit

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was taken into custody and charged with trespassing at the newly opened Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. The incident occurred while Baraka was accompanying members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, including Representatives Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman. According to witnesses and Baraka’s own account, he was arrested while standing on public property outside the facility, not inside the grounds as federal officials have claimed. The arrest has ignited a heated debate about local versus federal authority regarding immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration.

Following his release, Baraka recounted being placed in a cell and having his fingerprints and mugshot taken after what he described as an unjust arrest. The mayor, who is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, has been vocal in his opposition to the 1,000-bed facility, citing concerns about building permits and claiming the detention center is operating illegally. Tensions between local officials and federal immigration authorities have intensified as the Biden-era immigration policies continue to be reversed under the Trump administration’s renewed border security focus.

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

Conflicting Accounts and Federal Response

Alina Habba, the interim US Attorney for New Jersey and a longtime Trump ally, issued a statement accusing Baraka of deliberately disregarding the law by trespassing at the federal facility. Meanwhile, Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security suggested an ongoing investigation and characterized Baraka’s actions as political theater ahead of his gubernatorial campaign. DHS officials further alleged that members of Congress “stormed the gate” at the facility—a claim the congressional representatives vehemently deny, instead asserting they were physically shoved by ICE agents during the confrontation.

The dispute over the legality of the detention center adds another layer to this conflict. Baraka and other local lawmakers argue that the facility is dangerous and illegal, lacking proper permits and inspections required under local regulations. DHS has denied these allegations, insisting the federal facility is operating within legal guidelines. This standoff highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration policy under President Trump and local governance in Democratic-led cities and states that have opposed stricter immigration enforcement measures. The mayor has vowed to continue his efforts to gain entry to the facility to inspect conditions inside.

State and Congressional Reaction

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has entered the fray, expressing outrage over Baraka’s arrest and referencing a state law that bans private immigration detention centers. The governor’s statement underscores the state-level resistance to federal immigration enforcement policies that have been reinstated under the Trump administration. Congressional representatives who were present during the incident, including Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman, have characterized Baraka’s arrest as an act of intimidation designed to prevent oversight of detention conditions.

The incident comes at a politically charged moment, with Baraka actively campaigning for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and immigration enforcement once again taking center stage in national politics. The mayor has maintained that he was not at the facility to protest but to support the congressional delegation’s tour. This distinction is important as federal officials continue to characterize the visit as an unauthorized protest rather than legitimate oversight. As the legal proceedings against Baraka move forward, both sides appear entrenched in their positions, reflecting the broader national divide over immigration policy under President Trump’s leadership.