Newark, N.J. mayor arrested at ICE facility, charged with trespassing

Newark Mayor Arrested for Trespassing at ICE Facility

The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Ras Baraka, was apprehended at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility while visiting with members of the state’s congressional delegation. The arrest took place at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, where migrants detained by ICE have been quietly housed starting this month.

According to a statement by U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, Mayor Baraka was charged with trespassing after allegedly ignoring warnings to leave the ICE detention center. Baraka, who had his initial court appearance and was later released, insisted he was at the facility not to protest but to support the visiting members of Congress.

Following his release, Baraka addressed supporters, expressing concern over the events and emphasizing the need for everyone to be vigilant. Governor Phil Murphy condemned Baraka’s arrest, highlighting the ongoing dispute over the legitimacy of the detention facility and the concerns raised by various officials.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security denied claims that the facility lacked proper permits and inspections. DHS officials also criticized the actions of some members of Congress, including Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman, who were involved in the incident at the ICE facility.

Witnesses reported that Mayor Baraka was arrested by a large group of ICE officers while on public property. Menendez and Watson Coleman characterized the arrest as an act of intimidation, stating that it was meant to send a message to the mayor and others present. The situation remains complex, with conflicting reports from different parties involved.