It has become an article of faith among Democrats that the law simply does not apply to them. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested Friday outside a newly activated federal immigration detention center—briefly detained by federal agents and released hours later, unrepentant. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” he told a crowd of supporters, his tone defiant, his message unmistakable. What began as a routine political inspection escalated into a confrontation emblematic of the growing rift between federal immigration authorities and local leaders unwilling to stay silent, wrote The Associated Press.
The arrest took place outside Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed facility now housing detainees under a $1 billion, 15-year contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Operated by the private prison contractor Geo Group, the facility began operations this month despite mounting opposition. Baraka—a Democrat, outspoken critic of ICE policy, and declared candidate for New Jersey governor—has accused the company of violating local permitting laws and operating in direct defiance of the city’s sanctuary policies. His lawsuit against Geo Group remains active.
Baraka had joined three members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation—Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman—in an attempt to enter the facility and inspect its operations. Federal agents denied them entry. What followed was a chaotic standoff marked by shouting, confusion, and a sudden surge of officers. Witnesses described Baraka standing on public property outside the facility gates when he was handcuffed and led away. “There was yelling, pushing, and then officers swarmed him,” said Viri Martinez, an organizer with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, noted CNN.
Homeland Security officials later claimed that the group had “stormed the gate” as a detainee bus arrived—a claim immediately disputed by those present. Rep. Watson Coleman called the allegation false, insisting that the delegation was acting within its oversight authority and had not attempted to enter by force. “We did not ‘storm’ anything,” she said, accusing DHS of distorting the facts to deflect scrutiny.
Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, announced that Baraka had been arrested for trespassing after refusing to comply with Homeland Security’s orders. No explanation was given as to why he was the only one detained.
The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this…
— Alina Habba (@AlinaHabba) May 9, 2025
Baraka’s arrest drew swift condemnation from across the state. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and several state lawmakers denounced the incident as federal overreach, and hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the facility, chanting, “Let the mayor go!” Civil rights groups warned that the arrest sends a dangerous message: protest, and risk persecution.
At issue is not just one arrest, but a deeper conflict over immigration enforcement in New Jersey and the federal government’s use of private contractors like Geo Group to expand detention capacity. While DHS insists that Delaney Hall has passed all necessary inspections, Baraka contends that the facility is illegally operating without city approval—and in direct violation of Newark’s stated values.
After his release, Baraka avoided discussing the legal details of his case on the advice of counsel. But his broader message was clear. “No matter your background or language, we must stand together against division,” he said. The crowd erupted in applause. His campaign team promised further updates, but even without them, the political implications were already taking shape.
[Read More: Trump Fires Librarian Of Congress]
