On May 9, 2025, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka went under arrest. On September 17, he was charged with trespassing after protesting inside a New Jersey Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. The shooting occurred outside the ICE Delaney Hall detention center in Newark. Baraka was placed into custody following his arrest for allegedly not listening to multiple calls by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorities. He was arrested and charged with one count of trespassing in Newark federal court, with an initial appearance later that afternoon where he was released without bond.
… Against the backdrop of his own campaign for governor of New Jersey, Baraka’s arrest becomes a loaded question. The mayor, along with fellow lawmakers including Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver, entered the ICE facility to advocate against immigrant detention practices. According to accounts, once inside, a scuffle ensued after their entry, resulting in the arrest of Baraka.
Witnesses saw Baraka handcuffed outside the detention center in the midst of the tumultuous nighttime events. Lawmakers push back against DHS’s portrayal of the incident. Responding to DHS’s portrayal of the incident, lawmakers said they were fully within their rights to provide oversight.
“As Members of Congress, we have a legal right to conduct oversight at any DHS facility without prior notice, as we have already done twice this year,” – Rob Menendez
DHS officials insisted that Baraka’s and the lawmakers’ actions were illegal. Alina Habba, the acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, charged Baraka with ignoring several orders to leave the building.
“Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities,” – Tricia McLaughlin
Baraka’s arrest has generated widespread outrage and garnered a lot of attention. It would mean doom for his gubernatorial campaign. Supporters of Baraka say the confrontation is drawing attention to the pervasive, abusive patterns in ICE’s arrest operations.
Baraka shared video of what happened outside Delaney Hall on social media. He showed the depth of his commitment to the advocacy community by driving home this amazing message. In the background, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman pondered the circumstances, registering her skepticism over how quickly and aggressively ICE agents were sent to retaliate.
“We entered the facility, came BACK OUT to speak to the Mayor, and then ICE agents began shoving us,” – Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman
Given all of these changes, Tricia McLaughlin suggested that more legal actions could be on the way.
“There will likely be more arrests coming,” – Tricia McLaughlin