Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Arrested Protesting ICE Detention Facility

NEW YORK – Newark Mayor Ras Baraka found himself in federal custody Friday, arrested for trespassing during a protest against the newly operational Delaney Hall U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center. The arrest, confirmed by Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, stemmed from Baraka allegedly ignoring warnings from Homeland Security personnel to vacate the premises. This confrontation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing battle between Newark officials and federal authorities over the controversial 1,000-bed facility, run by private contractor GEO Group, which the city contends lacks proper permits and poses safety risks, challenging the very legitimacy of its operation.

The Delaney Hall facility, which began intake on May 1, 2025, is central to a bitter dispute that has pitted local governance against federal objectives and corporate interests. Mayor Baraka has spearheaded legal action against GEO Group, asserting the company failed to secure necessary city construction permits, certificates of occupancy, and approvals for the building's change of use. City inspections reportedly uncovered approximately two dozen safety violations, including critical issues with plumbing, fire code compliance, and electrical systems. GEO Group, however, insists Delaney Hall possesses a valid Certificate of Occupancy and complies with all contracted health and safety requirements, dismissing Newark's actions as "another unfortunate example of a politicized campaign by sanctuary city and open borders politicians." The facility is a lucrative venture for GEO Group, part of a $1 billion, 15-year contract with ICE, expected to generate over $60 million in annual revenue and significantly expand ICE's detention capacity from around 20,000 to 23,000 beds nationwide.

The protest that led to Baraka's arrest saw the mayor joined by Democratic members of Congress, including Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver, who were attempting to conduct an oversight inspection of Delaney Hall. Accounts of the ensuing events diverge sharply, painting a chaotic picture of the confrontation. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson accused the lawmakers of "storming" the facility and breaking into the detention center, a characterization vehemently denied by the representatives' offices, who stated they were present to exercise their legitimate oversight authority as prescribed by law. Video footage reportedly shows a tense scuffle, with conflicting reports on whether Baraka was inside or outside the facility's gates when apprehended by federal agents.

Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, who previously served as a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, issued a stern statement, asserting Baraka "committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings... to remove himself" and "consciously chosen to flout the law," adding emphatically, "NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW." While Baraka faces a trespassing charge, it remains unclear if further criminal charges will follow. The arrest has galvanized Democratic support for Baraka, a candidate for New Jersey governor, with numerous prominent Democrats, including Governor Phil Murphy and Senator Cory Booker, condemning the arrest and calling for his immediate release. Representatives present at the scene maintained Baraka did nothing wrong, with Congresswoman McIver asserting he was outside the facility gates at the time of his arrest, a claim echoed by Representative Andy Kim who noted video evidence appeared to support this.

This incident in Newark starkly underscores the intensifying conflict between local jurisdictions attempting to assert municipal authority and federal immigration enforcement priorities, particularly concerning the expansion of privately operated detention centers. The dispute over Delaney Hall, escalating from permit battles in courtrooms to physical confrontations at its gates, reflects a broader national tension over immigration policy and the role of private contractors in federal detention. The conflicting narratives surrounding the arrest, with federal officials alleging illegal entry and mayoral allies citing legitimate oversight and protest against what they term an "unjust deportation campaign," highlight the deeply polarized and often irreconcilable perspectives shaping contemporary immigration debates. The ultimate resolution of Baraka's legal situation and the operational fate of Delaney Hall will undoubtedly resonate beyond Newark, influencing the complex interplay between local autonomy and federal power.