Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on May 9, 2025, during a confrontation at the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark, New Jersey. The incident occurred as Baraka accompanied Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez Jr., and LaMonica McIver in an unscheduled visit to the facility, which had recently reopened under the Trump administration.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the group waited for the facility’s gates to open for a detainee transport bus and then entered the premises without authorization, bypassing security personnel. DHS characterized the action as a breach of federal property and stated that Baraka ignored multiple warnings to leave the area. He was subsequently arrested and charged with trespassing.
Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, has been a vocal critic of the Delaney Hall facility, citing concerns over its operation without proper city permits and its potential impact on the community. The facility, operated by private prison company GEO Group under a $1 billion, 15-year contract with ICE, has faced opposition from local officials and activists.
Following his arrest, Baraka was released after several hours in custody. He maintained that he had done nothing wrong and criticized the federal government’s actions as an attempt to intimidate public officials. Supporters gathered outside the facility demanding his release, highlighting the contentious nature of immigration enforcement policies under the current administration.
