New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka Taken into Custody at ICE Facility
The Democrat, currently a candidate for governor, engaged in a confrontation with three congressional members who were trying to obtain a tour of Delaney Hall.
TroibNews 
NEWARK, New Jersey — The mayor of New Jersey’s largest city and Democratic candidate for governor, Ras Baraka, was handcuffed and detained by federal officials on Friday during a protest at an ICE facility after a confrontation involving three members of Congress who were trying to tour the site.
Details surrounding Baraka's detainment remain unclear, including whether he was formally arrested and his whereabouts after being handcuffed on Friday afternoon.
The incident escalated in the parking lot of Delaney Hall, where protestors, federal law enforcement officers, and Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver gathered.
Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, confirmed Baraka’s detainment. She stated on X, "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."
The disturbance stemmed from an earlier chaotic scene involving protestors and officials affiliated with the facility, which is the Trump administration's latest ICE detention center and plays a significant role in Northeast immigration operations. Watson Coleman expressed her concerns, saying, "This most assuredly is the most discomforting, concerning visit we have had. And what we experienced was the weaponization, of the abuse of power, that this administration has given ICE to do. ICE is out of control."
Recently opened, the roughly 1,000-bed facility began accepting detainees, prompting Baraka's administration to try to block its operation legally by arguing that the private prison operator lacked the necessary city permits.
Baraka reportedly gained access to the facility's fenced parking lot but was asked to leave later. The three Congress members, who had been inside the facility, emerged alongside officers in gear labeled as federal police, ICE, and Homeland Security. At one point, as authorities threatened to arrest Baraka, the members of Congress exited to a parking lot where protestors had gathered.
After warning Baraka of authorities' intentions, Menendez looked through the fence and told him, "They are talking about coming out to arrest you."
McIver, representing Newark, indicated that their visit was planned as a "simple oversight visit," but they experienced delays of approximately two hours before being permitted entry. She stated that both she and Watson Coleman were "assaulted" and claimed Menendez was "roughed up." Menendez remarked, "All of us were touched," and described the incident involving McIver as an “assault."
"What we just witnessed was disgusting," McIver stated. "If they can treat three members of Congress like that, just imagine how they can treat people on the street each and every day."
The situation escalated as law enforcement officials surrounded Baraka and Watson Coleman. Ultimately, Baraka was handcuffed and detained, while the Congress members remained within the secure area of the facility. ICE officials did not respond to shouted inquiries about Baraka’s status. Meanwhile, protesters, including SEIU union members, believed the mayor was detained at the field office.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, portrayed the events differently, asserting in a statement that a group of protestors and two members of Congress — Menendez and Watson Coleman — "stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility."
“These members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk," the agency stated. "Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour of the facility. This is an evolving situation."
An outspoken critic of the Trump administration's immigration detention plans, Baraka is one of six Democrats vying for the governorship this year. While other candidates have condemned the administration’s policies, Baraka has done so most vigorously. He participated in a rally against the facility’s reopening in March — footage of which features in his campaign ads — and has been “demanding entry” into Delaney Hall throughout the week.
Newark previously filed a complaint in Essex County Superior Court, alleging ICE planned to operate Delaney Hall “without following proper building safety protocols.” GEO Group, the corporation managing the facility, accused the legal challenge of being “politically motivated.”
At the March rally, Baraka expressed a desire for fellow Democratic candidates to take action on immigration issues. “They say they are against the detention facility in Newark, and that's the talk," he noted. "I would love to see them out to help us in this effort. I mean, it is a competition, so maybe they feel like coming here supports me. I don't know what it is. I can't speak for them, but I would love to see them out here.”
Governor Phil Murphy expressed outrage at Baraka's arrest. “Mayor Baraka is an exemplary public servant who has always stood up for our most vulnerable neighbors,” he stated, calling for his immediate release by federal law enforcement.
Baraka's arrest alarmed pro-immigrant activists present at the protest. Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, commented, “If they can do this to a mayor that has a profile as large as Mayor Baraka, what are they going to do to people protesting at Tesla stores?"
Other Democratic gubernatorial candidates also condemned Baraka's arrest. Rep. Mikie Sherrill referred to it as an "absolute outrage," while Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop labeled it "a dangerous precedent — and it demands condemnation in the strongest possible terms." Rep. Josh Gottheimer added that Baraka should be “released immediately” and criticized Delaney Hall as “an environment ripe with mistreatment and abuse."
Conversely, Republican figures criticized Baraka. Bob Hugin, chair of the state Republican Party, cautioned that Baraka would be a governor "who puts political theater ahead of public safety and the rule of law." GOP candidates also weighed in, with former radio host Bill Spadea saying Baraka “should be embarrassed by his behavior” and former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli calling him “shameful."
Ciattarelli added, "In Newark, the airport is in the midst of an unprecedented & dangerous meltdown, the public schools are failing students & families, and there is crime in the streets every day. And yet its Mayor and leading Democrat candidate for Governor … is busy shilling for illegal immigrants at an ICE detention center with a cheap publicity stunt."
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Details surrounding Baraka's detainment remain unclear, including whether he was formally arrested and his whereabouts after being handcuffed on Friday afternoon.
The incident escalated in the parking lot of Delaney Hall, where protestors, federal law enforcement officers, and Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver gathered.
Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, confirmed Baraka’s detainment. She stated on X, "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."
The disturbance stemmed from an earlier chaotic scene involving protestors and officials affiliated with the facility, which is the Trump administration's latest ICE detention center and plays a significant role in Northeast immigration operations. Watson Coleman expressed her concerns, saying, "This most assuredly is the most discomforting, concerning visit we have had. And what we experienced was the weaponization, of the abuse of power, that this administration has given ICE to do. ICE is out of control."
Recently opened, the roughly 1,000-bed facility began accepting detainees, prompting Baraka's administration to try to block its operation legally by arguing that the private prison operator lacked the necessary city permits.
Baraka reportedly gained access to the facility's fenced parking lot but was asked to leave later. The three Congress members, who had been inside the facility, emerged alongside officers in gear labeled as federal police, ICE, and Homeland Security. At one point, as authorities threatened to arrest Baraka, the members of Congress exited to a parking lot where protestors had gathered.
After warning Baraka of authorities' intentions, Menendez looked through the fence and told him, "They are talking about coming out to arrest you."
McIver, representing Newark, indicated that their visit was planned as a "simple oversight visit," but they experienced delays of approximately two hours before being permitted entry. She stated that both she and Watson Coleman were "assaulted" and claimed Menendez was "roughed up." Menendez remarked, "All of us were touched," and described the incident involving McIver as an “assault."
"What we just witnessed was disgusting," McIver stated. "If they can treat three members of Congress like that, just imagine how they can treat people on the street each and every day."
The situation escalated as law enforcement officials surrounded Baraka and Watson Coleman. Ultimately, Baraka was handcuffed and detained, while the Congress members remained within the secure area of the facility. ICE officials did not respond to shouted inquiries about Baraka’s status. Meanwhile, protesters, including SEIU union members, believed the mayor was detained at the field office.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, portrayed the events differently, asserting in a statement that a group of protestors and two members of Congress — Menendez and Watson Coleman — "stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility."
“These members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk," the agency stated. "Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour of the facility. This is an evolving situation."
An outspoken critic of the Trump administration's immigration detention plans, Baraka is one of six Democrats vying for the governorship this year. While other candidates have condemned the administration’s policies, Baraka has done so most vigorously. He participated in a rally against the facility’s reopening in March — footage of which features in his campaign ads — and has been “demanding entry” into Delaney Hall throughout the week.
Newark previously filed a complaint in Essex County Superior Court, alleging ICE planned to operate Delaney Hall “without following proper building safety protocols.” GEO Group, the corporation managing the facility, accused the legal challenge of being “politically motivated.”
At the March rally, Baraka expressed a desire for fellow Democratic candidates to take action on immigration issues. “They say they are against the detention facility in Newark, and that's the talk," he noted. "I would love to see them out to help us in this effort. I mean, it is a competition, so maybe they feel like coming here supports me. I don't know what it is. I can't speak for them, but I would love to see them out here.”
Governor Phil Murphy expressed outrage at Baraka's arrest. “Mayor Baraka is an exemplary public servant who has always stood up for our most vulnerable neighbors,” he stated, calling for his immediate release by federal law enforcement.
Baraka's arrest alarmed pro-immigrant activists present at the protest. Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, commented, “If they can do this to a mayor that has a profile as large as Mayor Baraka, what are they going to do to people protesting at Tesla stores?"
Other Democratic gubernatorial candidates also condemned Baraka's arrest. Rep. Mikie Sherrill referred to it as an "absolute outrage," while Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop labeled it "a dangerous precedent — and it demands condemnation in the strongest possible terms." Rep. Josh Gottheimer added that Baraka should be “released immediately” and criticized Delaney Hall as “an environment ripe with mistreatment and abuse."
Conversely, Republican figures criticized Baraka. Bob Hugin, chair of the state Republican Party, cautioned that Baraka would be a governor "who puts political theater ahead of public safety and the rule of law." GOP candidates also weighed in, with former radio host Bill Spadea saying Baraka “should be embarrassed by his behavior” and former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli calling him “shameful."
Ciattarelli added, "In Newark, the airport is in the midst of an unprecedented & dangerous meltdown, the public schools are failing students & families, and there is crime in the streets every day. And yet its Mayor and leading Democrat candidate for Governor … is busy shilling for illegal immigrants at an ICE detention center with a cheap publicity stunt."
Max Fischer for TROIB News
