Newark Mayor Arrested at ICE Facility Protest

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democratic candidate for governor, was arrested on May 9, 2025, at the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark during a protest and attempted oversight visit with three Democratic members of Congress. Baraka was charged with federal trespass after allegedly ignoring repeated warnings to leave, though he contends the arrest was targeted and unjust. The arrest drew strong condemnation from Democrats, including Sen. Cory Booker, who called it an abuse of power and criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement approach, while acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba defended the action as lawful. Witnesses and Baraka's supporters argue he was singled out, as other lawmakers present were not detained. Baraka was released on an unsecured bond after an unusually late federal court hearing, with his next hearing scheduled for May 15. The incident has intensified debate over federal immigration enforcement and the reopening of private detention centers under President Trump’s second term.