Mayor Baraka Arrested at Delaney Hall Amid Immigration Policy Dispute

Department of Justice building with American flags.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and charged with trespassing at a new federal immigration detention center, sparking outrage among Democratic officials and raising questions about federal versus local authority in the ongoing immigration debate.

Quick Takes

Mayor Baraka was arrested while allegedly on public property during a visit with congressional representatives to Delaney Hall ICE facility
The mayor denies trespassing charges, claiming he was invited for a news conference and unjustly arrested
Baraka, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, has been protesting the 1,000-bed facility over building permit concerns
The arrest has intensified tensions between local New Jersey officials and President Trump’s administration over immigration enforcement
Governor Phil Murphy condemned the arrest, citing a state law that bans private immigration detention centers

Mayor Arrested During Facility Visit

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while visiting the newly opened Delaney Hall detention facility with members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation. Following his arrest, Baraka was charged with one count of trespassing, processed, and released after an initial court appearance. Witnesses and the mayor himself claim he was on public property—specifically the sidewalk—when the arrest occurred, contradicting federal officials’ assertions that he unlawfully entered the premises. The incident has quickly escalated into a broader conflict between local New Jersey authorities and federal immigration officials.

Baraka, who is currently seeking the Democratic party’s nomination for governor, described the arrest experience in detail, stating that he was put in a cell and subjected to fingerprinting and mugshot procedures. The mayor maintains he was invited to the facility for a news conference and did not intend to protest during this particular visit. Despite the charges, Baraka has expressed his determination to continue efforts to gain entry to the facility, citing concerns about the activities taking place inside.

BREAKING: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been arrested at an ICE detention facility for allegedly trespassing, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey says. https://t.co/A9n78qyDVw

— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 9, 2025

Dispute Over Facility Legality

At the center of this conflict is the newly opened 1,000-bed ICE detention facility at Delaney Hall, which Baraka and other local officials have been actively opposing. The mayor has consistently raised concerns about the facility’s building permits and compliance with local regulations. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed strong condemnation of Baraka’s arrest, highlighting a state law that prohibits private immigration detention centers from operating within New Jersey. This standoff exemplifies the growing tensions between state sovereignty and federal immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration.

Alina Habba, interim US Attorney for New Jersey, accused Baraka of deliberately disregarding the law by trespassing on federal property. Meanwhile, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin suggested the mayor’s actions were politically motivated, stating that an investigation into the incident was ongoing. The federal officials’ characterization of events directly contradicts accounts from congressional representatives who were present during the encounter, creating a contentious dispute over what actually transpired.

Congressional Response and Accusations

Representatives Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman, who were present during the incident, characterized Baraka’s arrest as an act of intimidation. They categorically denied DHS accusations that they and other officials “stormed the gate” at the facility. Instead, the congressional members claimed they were physically shoved by ICE agents when attempting to conduct legitimate oversight of the detention center. This conflicting narrative raises serious questions about transparency and the right of elected officials to inspect federal facilities operating within their jurisdictions.

The Department of Homeland Security has firmly denied allegations that the facility lacks proper permits and inspections, insisting that all federal protocols have been followed. However, local officials maintain that the center poses potential dangers and operates illegally under New Jersey state law. This jurisdictional clash highlights the complex interplay between federal immigration policies under President Trump and local governance structures, with detainees caught in the middle of this political standoff.