Mayor’s Arrest Sparks Debate Over ICE Facility Protests in Newark

Handcuffs on top of an arrest warrant document. — District Court Arrest Warrant court papers with handcuffs isolated on white with shallow depth of field

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on trespassing charges at a controversial new ICE detention facility, but claims he was lawfully present as part of a congressional delegation tour.

Key Insights

Mayor Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, was arrested and charged with trespassing while allegedly on public property near the Delaney Hall ICE facility
The Trump administration and Baraka have clashed over the 1,000-bed detention facility, which the mayor claims lacks proper permits and violates local regulations
NJ Governor Phil Murphy condemned the arrest, citing a state law prohibiting private immigration detention centers
Federal officials accuse Baraka of political grandstanding, while congressional members accompanying him claim his arrest was intimidation
The incident highlights growing tensions between local governance and federal immigration enforcement under President Trump

Detention Facility at Center of Federal-Local Conflict

The newly established Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark has become the focal point of an escalating conflict between local New Jersey officials and President Trump’s administration. At the center of this controversy is Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested on trespassing charges while visiting the 1,000-bed detention center. The facility has drawn significant opposition from local leaders who claim it operates without proper permits or inspections, potentially creating dangerous conditions for detainees. This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between states with strict immigration policies and the federal government’s enforcement priorities.

Baraka, who is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, has been a vocal critic of the facility since plans for its opening were announced. The mayor contends that the detention center violates building codes and lacks necessary inspections. Department of Homeland Security officials have firmly denied these allegations, maintaining that the facility meets all federal requirements for operation. The dispute underscores the complex jurisdictional questions surrounding immigration enforcement facilities and the authority of local officials to regulate them.

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

Mayor Denies Trespassing Allegations

According to reports from multiple sources, Mayor Baraka was taken into custody by ICE agents during what he described as an official visit alongside members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation. Baraka vehemently denies the trespassing charge, asserting that he was arrested while standing on a public sidewalk outside the facility. Following his arrest, Baraka recounted being processed through the system, including being placed in a cell and having his fingerprints and mugshot taken before his release after an initial court appearance.

Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, accused Baraka of deliberately disregarding the law. Meanwhile, Tricia McLaughlin, representing the Department of Homeland Security, characterized the mayor’s actions as political maneuvering rather than legitimate governance concerns. The Trump administration has taken a firm stance, with DHS officials suggesting that some members of Congress accompanying Baraka had attempted to “storm the gate” at the facility—an allegation the congressional representatives strongly dispute.

State and Federal Officials at Odds

The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who expressed outrage over Baraka’s arrest. Murphy referenced a state law that prohibits private immigration detention centers, further complicating the jurisdictional dispute between state and federal authorities. Representatives Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman, who were present during the incident, characterized Baraka’s arrest as an intimidation tactic meant to discourage oversight of the facility’s operations and conditions.

Multiple witnesses have corroborated Baraka’s account that he was on public property at the time of his arrest, not trespassing on the facility’s grounds as alleged. Despite his arrest, Baraka has declared his intention to continue efforts to gain access to the detention center, expressing concerns about activities taking place inside. As the legal process unfolds, this case may establish important precedents regarding the rights of local officials to monitor federal immigration facilities within their jurisdictions under President Trump’s administration.