‘He has willingly chosen to disregard the law,’ New Jersey’s interim U.S. attorney says
Department of Homeland Security officials arrested Newark mayor and New Jersey gubernatorial hopeful Ras Baraka (D.) on Friday following a chaotic scene at a Garden State immigrant detention facility.
Baraka tried joining three New Jersey Democrats—Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez—on a tour of the recently opened Delaney Hall, but was denied entry. Interim U.S. attorney for the district of New Jersey Alina Habba said Baraka was trespassing and ignored multiple warnings to leave.
“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,” Habba posted to X. “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.”
DHS officials also allege that two of the lawmakers and a group of protesters stormed through an entry gate as a bus filled with detainees was entering, though the members of Congress dispute that claim. Video footage shows Watson Coleman, McIver, Menendez, and a group of protesters clashing with law enforcement at Delaney Hall. It’s unclear if Baraka was involved or if the scuffle occurred before or after his arrest.
Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center after an argument with agents. Members of congress here for a scheduled visit, were shoved after trying to include Baraka in conversations after he gained entry through the gate.@news12nj #newark @News12NJ pic.twitter.com/6UDQWiIhQ7
— Amanda Lee (@amandaleetv) May 9, 2025
Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, called the incident a “bizarre political stunt.”
“This illegal breaking and entering of a detention facility puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk,” McLaughlin said. “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.”
The congressional Democrats, however, alleged that they were visiting Delaney Hall as part of an oversight visit and were escorted in. They said Baraka complied when immigration officials demanded he leave since he doesn’t share the same oversight powers as members of Congress.
The trio eventually successfully toured the facility. During a press conference following their visit, they accused immigration authorities of “roughing [them] up” and exercising an “abuse of power.”
“What we see here is despicable, and we should all be angry,” McIver said.
Baraka has repeatedly criticized the Trump administration on its treatment of illegal immigrants as he vies to become New Jersey’s next governor. With one month until the gubernatorial primary, Baraka faces five Democratic opponents in a wide open race.
Hours after the incident, Baraka’s campaign began using the arrest to solicit donations.
“BREAKING: RAS BARAKA HAS BEEN ARRESTED,” a Baraka campaign text said. “Ras was at Delaney Hall today demanding entry into the ICE detention center where Trump and MAGA extremists are illegally detaining people. Ras is ready to do whatever it takes to stop Trump and to protect New Jerseyans from his extreme agenda. We need you with us now more than ever. Donate now.”
Baraka also tried entering the facility earlier this week, but was denied entry. He showed up with a group of protesters and construction vehicles saying that he considered forming a blockade but decided against it. He and the city of Newark filed a lawsuit last month against Geo Group, the company running the facility, arguing that it was illegally renovating the immigration center.
Baraka and DHS did not return a request for comment.
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