Newark Mayor Released After ICE Facility Arrest

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was released without bond Friday after being detained for approximately five hours at a controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Newark. The mayor, who is currently running for governor in New Jersey’s Democratic primary, was charged with trespassing while attempting to join three members of Congress conducting an oversight visit at Delaney Hall detention center.

The Department of Homeland Security has indicated that “there will likely be more arrests coming” following the incident, according to DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin, according to Reuters. The announcement raises tensions between federal immigration authorities and local officials in New Jersey.

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Details of the Confrontation

The incident occurred when Baraka attempted to join Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Robert Menendez Jr. who had arrived at the facility to inspect conditions at the recently reopened detention center. Federal officials allowed the congressional representatives to enter but denied access to Baraka.

Witnesses described a heated argument that erupted even after the mayor returned to the public side of the gates. Julie Moreno, a New Jersey state captain of American Families United who was present during the incident, stated that ICE personnel “came out aggressively to arrest him and grab him” while he was outside the facility’s gates.

Alina Habba, interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey and former lawyer for President Donald Trump, claimed on social media that Baraka had “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations” to leave the property. After appearing before Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa for a brief preliminary hearing, Baraka was released without bond.

Conflicting Accounts from Officials

The Department of Homeland Security and the congressional delegation present have offered starkly different versions of what transpired. In an official statement, DHS claimed that “a group of protestors, including two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility” as a bus carrying detainees was entering the facility.

The congressional representatives vigorously disputed this characterization. Video of the incident reportedly shows Baraka standing within a gated, outdoor portion of the facility surrounded by lawmakers and immigration officials in a tense exchange. After being told to leave, he exited through the gate and was then arrested by federal agents on public property, according to CNN.

Representative Watson Coleman directly challenged the DHS statement on social media, writing: “Contrary to a press release put out by DHS we did not ‘storm’ the detention center. The author of that press release was so unfamiliar with the facts on the ground that they didn’t even correctly count the number of Representatives present.”

Controversial Detention Facility

The confrontation centers around Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed detention facility operated by private prison company GEO Group under a 15-year, $1 billion contract with ICE. The facility, which reopened on May 1, is part of President Trump’s plan to increase detention capacity nationwide.

Baraka has been a vocal opponent of the facility, arguing that it lacks proper city permits and was opened despite opposition from community and elected officials. Newark filed a lawsuit against GEO Group in April, claiming the facility lacks a valid certificate of occupancy and bypassed required safety inspections.

DHS has disputed these claims, stating in press releases that “we have valid permits and inspection from plumbing, electricity to fire codes has been cleared.” According to company statements, the activation of Delaney Hall and another facility in Michigan will increase total capacity under contract with ICE from around 20,000 beds to approximately 23,000.

Political Support for Baraka

The arrest has generated significant political fallout, with Democratic leaders across New Jersey condemning the action. Governor Phil Murphy called Baraka’s arrest “unjust” and described him as “an exemplary public servant who has always stood up for our most vulnerable neighbors.” State Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated that the arrest of public officials “for peacefully protesting violates the most basic principles of our democracy.”

Senator Cory Booker characterized the incident as “disturbing, unnecessary and indicative of tactics that are undermining the safety and security of our communities, not adding to it.” Several of Baraka’s rivals in the Democratic gubernatorial primary also expressed support, according to Fox News.

Upon his release Friday evening, Baraka addressed supporters gathered outside the Homeland Security Investigations Newark office. “The reality is this: I didn’t do anything wrong,” he told the crowd. Though unable to discuss specifics of his case due to legal restrictions, he expressed solidarity with all community members regardless of background or nationality.

Next Steps in the Legal Process

Baraka is scheduled to appear in Newark Federal District Court next Thursday for a preliminary hearing on the trespassing charge, which carries a maximum punishment of up to 30 days in prison and a $500 fine.

As DHS signals its intent to pursue additional arrests related to Friday’s confrontation, tensions remain high between federal immigration authorities and local officials. The conflict highlights growing friction between the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies and local opposition in Democratic-leaning states and cities.

The facility’s proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport positions it as a potentially key component in the administration’s deportation efforts. Meanwhile, challenges to New Jersey’s state law banning private immigration detention centers continue to work through the courts, with the administration having recently argued its case before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.