Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been released from ICE custody after being arrested during a protest at a New Jersey immigration facility.
Baraka was detained at Delaney Hall Detention Facility, where he joined demonstrators opposing the Trump-era opening of the ICE center. He was reportedly charged with trespassing after attempting to attend a facility tour with three New Jersey lawmakers. However, video footage shows ICE officers denying his entry and later informing him of his pending arrest.
PIX11 reported that Baraka left the restricted area and joined the protest on public grounds. Moments later, ICE officials approached and detained him, leading to backlash from community leaders and state legislators.
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What Led to the Arrest: ICE Confrontation at Delaney Hall
According to eyewitnesses, Baraka’s arrest unfolded as he attempted to accompany Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman on a scheduled tour of the facility. Video footage captured the tense exchange between Baraka and ICE agents, who told him he could not enter because he was “not a member of Congress.”
Baraka was seen speaking through a gate to a suited official, who then told him ICE officers would be arresting him for trespassing. Moments later, officers arrived and escorted Baraka away in front of protesters, journalists, and community members.
Representative LaMonica McIver later told reporters that she and her congressional colleagues were allegedly assaulted by ICE officers during the confrontation. “It was unnecessary force. It was really, really ridiculous,” she said in a statement to PIX11.
Political Reactions and What This Means Moving Forward
Mayor Ras Baraka has been a vocal critic of ICE and its detainment practices, particularly in cities like Newark, which have declared themselves sanctuary cities. His arrest at Delaney Hall underscores rising tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local government officials.
Supporters view his actions as civil resistance against unjust policies, while critics argue that he overstepped legal boundaries. Nonetheless, Baraka’s release has intensified scrutiny on ICE operations and raised questions about transparency at detention centers.
Conclusion: Update — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Released From ICE Custody Amid Protests and Political Fallout
This update that Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was released from ICE custody serves as a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle between local leaders and federal immigration agencies.
His arrest—while advocating for transparency at a federal facility—has reignited public discourse about civil rights, due process, and the boundaries of protest. With calls for accountability rising, this incident may mark a significant shift in how cities like Newark confront immigration enforcement within their communities.