Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on Friday (May 9) at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on trespassing charges. Baraka, who is running for governor of New Jersey, was taken into custody at the Delaney Hall facility, which recently reopened as the largest detention center on the East Coast. Baraka allegedly ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security officials to leave the premises.

The mayor was handcuffed and taken to a Department of Homeland Security office in Newark. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, who is also a personal lawyer for President Donald Trump, stated Baraka "committed trespass" and disregarded the law.

The arrest occurred during a protest against the facility, which Newark officials claim opened without proper city permits. The Delaney Hall facility, operated by a private prison firm under contract with ICE, has been a point of contention, with Newark officials challenging its opening in court. The Department of Homeland Security maintains that the facility has proper permits and is being used to detain immigrants who have committed violent crimes.

Baraka's campaign confirmed his arrest and stated they are monitoring the situation closely.

Several New Jersey political figures, including Governor Phil Murphy and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, have called for Baraka's immediate release, criticizing the arrest as unjust. Governor Murphy stated, "Mayor Baraka is an exemplary public servant who has always stood up for our most vulnerable neighbors."

Lucy Chapman