Newark Mayor Arrested at ICE Facility Amidst Congressional Oversight Dispute
Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka, a prominent Democratic candidate for governor, was arrested Friday at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark. The arrest occurred during a demonstration where Baraka and three members of Congress sought to conduct an oversight visit, escalating tensions surrounding the facility’s operation and immigration enforcement policies.
According to reports, Baraka was taken into custody for trespassing after attempting to gain access to the Delaney Hall detention facility, which is now owned by the GEO Group. He was released several hours later.
"They treated me pretty well, so a lot of respect for those guys in there, but at the end of the day, we didn’t do anything wrong," Baraka stated following his release. "This should not have happened today, but it did and it’s just an example of you know, the work that we have to do."
The incident ignited a wave of criticism and support, highlighting the deep divisions surrounding immigration policy and the role of ICE.
Earlier that day, U.S. Representatives Rob Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver, all Democrats representing New Jersey, entered the ICE facility but were stopped at the initial checkpoint.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News that, "These members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk."
The DHS also released a statement saying, "Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour of the facility."
DHS alleged that the three lawmakers rushed through the gates and past security when the gates opened to allow an ICE bus in.
Following the incident, Coleman stated that ICE was "out of control." McIver claimed that the lawmakers waited over two hours to gain access for an oversight visit and that all three were assaulted by ICE personnel.
"There are people who are supposed to be officers, who are supposed to protect us, and they have done none of that," McIver said. "If they can treat three members of Congress like that, just imagine how they can treat people on the street each and everyday, both undocumented and people who are citizens here in this country."
Menendez echoed these sentiments, accusing ICE officers of an "act of intimidation." He further claimed that the Biden administration is lying about its focus on deporting criminals. "They feel no weight of the law. They feel no restraint in what they should be doing, and that was shown in broad daylight today when they not just arrested the mayor of Newark, but when they put their hands on two members of Congress."
Political Reactions and Accusations of Overreach
The arrest sparked immediate condemnation from fellow Democrats. Senator Cory Booker described it as "disturbing, unnecessary, and indicative of tactics that are undermining the safety and security of our communities, not adding to it."
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed outrage, citing a state law banning private immigration detention centers, which his administration recently defended in court.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Baraka a friend who inspired him to fight for change. "His arrest today is an example of how the federal government’s overreach continues to undermine due process afforded by our Constitution," Johnson said.
On the other hand, Bob Hugin, chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party, labeled Baraka’s actions a "stunt," claiming he ignored repeated warnings from authorities. "He’s not a mayor – he’s running for governor, and this stunt shows exactly what kind of leader he’d be: one who puts political theater ahead of public safety and the rule of law," Hugin stated.
White House spokesman Kush Desai criticized Democrats for prioritizing undocumented immigrants over American citizens. "As always, Democrats are prioritizing the welfare of illegal aliens over American citizens – except now they’re crossing the line between meaningless political street theatre and outright breaking the law," Desai told Fox News Digital.
Underlying Disputes and Allegations of Non-Compliance
The incident is rooted in a larger conflict surrounding the Delaney Hall detention facility, its ownership by the GEO Group, and allegations of non-compliance with local regulations. Activists have been demanding access to the facility for inspections, claiming the GEO Group is unlawfully preventing them.
"We’re not asking for anything that’s incorrect. We ask them to obey our laws," Baraka said. "To obey the policies and rules here in the city and the state of New Jersey, not to run roughshod over the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the Fourth, the Fifth, the Fourteenth Amendment, and everybody on this soil who deserves due process."
McIver emphasized the lack of transparency surrounding ICE’s operations at the facility. "The lack of transparency around what’s happening with ICE in this facility is unacceptable. People deserve dignity and we need answers."
The prison houses a range of inmates, including alleged killers, MS-13 gang members, and child rapists.
Baraka has likened GEO Group’s actions to those of former President Trump, accusing them of disregarding laws and constitutional principles.
The City of Newark filed a lawsuit on April 1 alleging that the GEO Group failed to permit entry to safety inspectors and violated city construction codes, including conducting electrical and plumbing renovations without proper oversight.
The Department of Homeland Security has refuted these allegations, asserting that it possesses valid permits and has cleared inspections for plumbing, electricity, and fire codes.
The controversy surrounding the ICE facility in Newark underscores the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement, government transparency, and the rights of detainees. The arrest of Mayor Baraka and the actions of the congressional members have further amplified these tensions, raising questions about oversight, accountability, and the treatment of both undocumented immigrants and elected officials.
