Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) was arrested on Friday afternoon by federal agents at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center.
The incident occurred during a congressional oversight visit and was captured on video by local media outlets.
Federal authorities allege that Baraka trespassed on federal property and failed to comply with multiple warnings.
According to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Baraka was repeatedly told to leave the premises but refused.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Habba said Baraka’s actions were unlawful. She emphasized that the law applies equally to all individuals, stating, “No one is above the law.”
Baraka had reportedly accompanied a group of congressional representatives to the Delaney Hall facility, per Trending Politics.
The purpose of the visit was to observe the conditions of the newly contracted immigration detention center.
Initial accounts described the visit as uneventful until Baraka was stopped at the gate.
He was later permitted to enter the facility but became involved in what officials called unauthorized conversations.
Video footage from News12NJ showed Baraka being handcuffed and escorted out by Homeland Security Investigations officers after a verbal dispute.
The precise nature of the disagreement has not been publicly detailed.
Federal prosecutors maintain that Baraka’s conduct disrupted operations at the site and violated federal regulations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office labeled the conduct as a willful breach of law.
Witnesses claim that several lawmakers tried to intervene during Baraka’s detention. Reports allege some were “shoved” in the commotion, although the names of those involved have not been disclosed.
Delaney Hall, which is run by the private GEO Group, was recently designated under a federal contract to detain individuals involved in immigration enforcement proceedings. The facility operates under a $63 million annual lease agreement with the federal government.
Earlier in the week, the city of Newark filed a legal complaint against the facility’s operators. The complaint requested greater transparency and oversight, citing the city’s inability to verify how many individuals were being held at the site.
Baraka previously raised concerns about the safety and compliance standards at Delaney Hall. He claimed that numerous code violations were putting detainees and staff at risk.
On Monday, Baraka stated that Newark inspectors had discovered hazardous conditions. These included risks to both emergency responders and individuals detained inside the building.
The mayor said that the problems stemmed not only from the lack of inspections but also from a failure to secure necessary permits. He labeled the situation at Delaney Hall “unacceptable.”
Federal officials responded harshly to Baraka’s criticisms. A senior Homeland Security spokesperson accused the mayor of endangering lives through his actions and rhetoric.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Communications at the Department of Homeland Security, said Baraka’s behavior was putting ICE staff, facility operations, and detainees at risk.
She referred to Baraka as a “sanctuary mayor” and suggested his political positions were interfering with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
