Newark, N.J. Mayor Ras Baraka arrested at ICE facility

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 8:36 pm

**Newark Mayor Arrested at ICE Facility Amidst Controversy**

Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested Friday at the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, sparking a political firestorm. The arrest occurred during a visit by members of New Jersey's congressional delegation, who were there to investigate the facility's operations.

U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba confirmed Baraka's arrest, stating he was taken into custody for trespassing and ignoring warnings from Homeland Security Investigations. Habba emphasized that "no one is above the law."

The controversy surrounding Delaney Hall centers on its recent opening and the allegations of improper permitting. City officials claim the facility, which can house 1,000 detainees, did not obtain the necessary permits and blocked inspections. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denies these allegations.

DHS also stated that the facility currently detains individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including "murderers, rapists, suspected terrorists, and gang members." DHS further reported that members of Congress "stormed the gate" as a bus of detainees was entering the facility.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who was present at the facility, stated on social media that they were exercising their oversight authority to investigate the facility, which she claimed opened without proper permission.

The situation is ongoing, and CBS News New York will provide updates as they become available.

Keywords: Newark, Ras Baraka, ICE, arrest, Delaney Hall, detention facility, immigration, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney, Alina Habba, Homeland Security, permits, inspections, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Robert Menendez Jr., LaMonica McIver, breaking news, protestors, trespassing, Congress, DHS, illegal, controversy

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