Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Arrested After ICE Facility Standoff Sparks Federal Backlash

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) was taken into custody after allegedly trespassing at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in New Jersey, despite repeated warnings to vacate the premises, as Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba stated on X (formerly Twitter).

According to Habba’s social media post, Baraka was arrested at Delaney Hall in Newark after refusing to comply with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) directives. “He has willingly chosen to disregard the law,” she wrote. “That will not stand in this state. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”

The incident unfolded as Baraka joined Democratic Representatives LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Robert Menendez Jr. in what was described as an effort to “conduct federal oversight” at the detention facility. As PIX11 News reported, Baraka attempted to accompany the congressional group on a scheduled tour but was denied entry by federal authorities. A confrontation reportedly followed, and tensions escalated even after Baraka returned to the public side of the gates.

Activist Viri Martinez of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, who was present, described the situation as a heated standoff between the mayor and federal agents. Baraka was eventually taken to a nearby ICE field office.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, condemned the attempt, stating on social media that members of Congress “are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities.” She further emphasized that DHS would have cooperated with a properly requested visit. “This bizarre political stunt puts the safety of law enforcement agents and detainees at risk,” she wrote.

As Breitbart reported, Baraka’s actions have drawn scrutiny from both federal authorities and public commentators, with some viewing the event as a broader clash between local political leadership and federal immigration enforcement.

Baraka’s office has not released an official statement beyond confirming his temporary detainment.