Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Arrested Protesting ICE Detention Center

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested by federal authorities outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention center during a protest against the facility's opening, which he and other local officials have opposed due to concerns over local jurisdiction and permit issues. Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, a former defense attorney for Donald Trump, stated that Baraka committed trespassing by ignoring multiple warnings from Homeland Security agents to leave the premises and emphasized that no one is above the law. The mayor was detained after tensions escalated when ICE agents blocked access to the facility during a visit by members of Congress, highlighting a politically charged confrontation between local leadership and federal immigration enforcement. Baraka's arrest underlines the broader conflict over ICE operations and the role of local governments in challenging federal immigration policies, sparking debate about dissent and authority in the United States. The incident has drawn attention to the private, for-profit nature of the detention center operated by GEO Group, which has capacity for over 1,000 detainees and has faced opposition from community leaders.