the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark NJ, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was detained on Friday, May 9, after refusing to leave a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility located at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. The confrontation has sparked national attention, drawing in federal authorities, congressional representatives, and immigration policy critics.
file photo
What Led to the Mayor’s Arrest?
According to interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Mayor Baraka “committed trespass” after ignoring multiple warnings to leave the ICE facility.
“The Mayor of Newark… has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state,” Habba said in a statement posted to X. “NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”
Baraka, along with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), attempted to gain access to the facility, which they claim was opened without city authorization and in violation of local laws.
DHS: “This Was a Breach”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) painted a starkly different picture, stating that two members of Congress and a group of protesters “stormed the gate” and illegally entered the ICE detention center.
“This goes beyond a bizarre political stunt,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities.”
The agency emphasized that had the lawmakers requested a formal tour, access would have been granted.
Lawmakers Respond: “An Act of Intimidation”
After Baraka’s detainment, the three Democratic lawmakers held a press conference, criticizing what they called a heavy-handed federal response.
“It was an act of intimidation not just to the mayor, not just to us, but to everyone who is watching,” said Rep. Rob Menendez, accusing federal agents of physically roughing them up.
Despite the tense standoff, the lawmakers acknowledged the facility appeared “safe and clean” during their brief access.
Political & Legal Battle Over Delaney Hall
Delaney Hall has long been a flashpoint in New Jersey’s immigration debate:
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President Trump’s administration deemed it critical for detaining violent undocumented immigrants.
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Local leaders, including Gubnatorial-hopeful Ras Baraka, argue that the facility lacks proper local permits and oversight.
Just last month, the City of Newark filed a lawsuit against ICE, claiming that the agency failed to allow municipal inspections—allegedly violating state and city regulations.
The DHS has rejected those claims, asserting:
“We have valid permits. Inspections for plumbing, electricity, and fire codes have been cleared.”
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more embarrassing NJ Democrats
Democrats …. The party of Hamas, MS-13, killing babies and men pretending to be women.
You’d think Menendez would be so ashamed of his dad’s conviction that he would be trying to stay under the radar. Then again, he’s a Democrat.