Several Hudson County elected officials are decrying Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democratic candidate for governor, being arrested by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside Delaney Hall this afternoon.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I, I can’t being to describe what happened here today. It started as part of our core functions as members of Congress to conduct oversight of ICE and privately run detention centers where we waited patiently for over an hour, over an hour-and-a-half, just waited,” said U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) who was at Delaney Hall during the arrest.
“We waited to do what we’ve done together at Elizabeth Detention Center, we waited, and then we only saw action taking place outside when we were waiting not knowing what was happening. We walked out to see what was going on, we saw Mayor Baraka out here, by himself, the mayor of the largest city in New Jersey, waiting for us to come back.”
Baraka joined Menendez, along with U.S. Reps. LaMonica McIver (D-10) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12), to visit the ICE detention facility to check on the living conditions of the detainees.
According to Menendez, over 20 armed ICE agents participated in detaining Baraka, who was walked out of Delaney Hall in handcuffs.
“It was an act of intimidation – it was an act of intimidation not just to the mayor, not just to us, but to everyone watching. We know what ICE has been doing in our communities, we know that the president lies and this administration lies every day when they say that they’re going after criminals – it is not true!”
Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba wrote on X that Baraka was arrested for trespassing and for impeding a U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigation.
“The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon,” she wrote.
“He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, one of Baraka’s June 10th primary opponents, said on social media that the arrest “demands condemnation in the strongest possible terms.”
“This is wrong and ICE actions should be condemned in the strongest sense. Regardless of your views on ICE, the law is the law—and any facility operating in a New Jersey municipality must follow it. If Delaney Hall doesn’t have proper local authorization, Mayor Baraka had every reason to be there, and every right to demand accountability,” he stated.
“Instead, ICE arrested him. Whether it’s disobeying the Supreme Court, flirting with a third term, or undermining due process, we’re watching lines get crossed in real time. This is a dangerous precedent—and it demands condemnation in the strongest possible terms.”
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), a candidate for Jersey City mayor, called the situation “a disgrace.”
“The arrest of Mayor Ras Baraka is a disgrace—and a chilling reminder of how power can be abused by the government. Mayor Baraka was arrested for standing up for immigrant families, for protesting the inhumane actions of ICE, and for demanding that our government treat all people with dignity,” he said in a statement.
“Let’s be clear: it is not a crime to challenge injustice. It is not a crime to defend your community. It is a duty. I demand the immediate release of Mayor Baraka. And I demand accountability from the institutions that allowed this to happen. We will not let fear win. We will not let ICE or anyone else intimidate those who dare to speak out.”
Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon, another candidate for mayor, called the arrest “outrageous.”
“It’s outrageous that Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested today peacefully protesting ICE’s detention facility. He needs to be released immediately. This is just more lawlessness from the Trump administration,” his post on X says.
Furthermore, 32nd Legislative District Assembly candidate Katie Brennan and Hoboken Mayor Bhalla echoed a similar sentiment.
“Release Mayor Baraka NOW! Peaceful protest is a constitutional right, not a crime. This is why we need state protections for immigrant communities,” Brennan exclaimed.
“Mayor Baraka’s arrest for peacefully protesting the Trump Administration’s cruel, unconstitutional and un-American actions on immigration in front of a facility in his own city is outrageous. I call on ICE to release him immediately,” Bhalla added.
Outgoing Assemblyman Julio Marenco (D-33) also asserted that peaceful protest should never be a reason for arresting someone.
“I am deeply troubled by reports that Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been detained while protesting outside a federal detention facility. While all the facts are not yet known, the image of a sitting mayor being arrested while exercising his right to speak out on behalf of his constituents and his beliefs should give all of us pause,” he declared.
“If this arrest was indeed connected to a peaceful protest against a facility he believes violates city regulations, it raises serious questions about the use of federal authority and the space we afford public discourse in a free society. The ability of local leaders to voice concerns, particularly on matters as sensitive and impactful as immigration policy, must be protected, not punished.”
Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-3), who is running for state Assembly in the 31st Legislative District, also denounced the arrest.
“I am deeply concerned about the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka while protesting outside a federal facility. The First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech, and this incident is a stark reminder that such actions are not tolerated in the United States of America,” he wrote on Facebook.
“While the circumstances surrounding the arrest are still being investigated, it is imperative that peaceful protests are not allowed to escalate into such a manner. We must uphold the values of democracy and respect for individual rights.”
His running mate, Assemblyman Will Sampson called the situation “outrageous.”
“Today’s arrest of Mayor Baraka is simply outrageous. We are afforded certain rights in this country and it feels like each day those rights are gradually being eroded in Trump and Musk’s America,” he stated.
“It goes without saying that Mayor Baraka should immediately be released, but we also need to start the discussion to make sure something like this never happens again.”
State Senator Angela McKnight (D-31) also spoke out in Baraka’s favor.
“Mayor Baraka and our congressional partners showed up to Delaney Hall today to advocate for transparency, justice, and human rights and were accosted and put in handcuffs,” she stated.
“Mayor Baraka has every right to protect the people of his city, and Delaney Hall’s operation puts them directly in harm’s way. I stand firmly with the Mayor and advocates, and I call for his immediate release and the permanent closure of this facility.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-3), a candidate for state Assembly (D-31), then with comments from Assemblyman Will Sampson and state Senator Angela McKnight (both D-31).
Baraka wanted the press attention as he runs again for office and he manufactured the scenario.
He got the attention he wanted.
Look, we understand the efforts at insurrection here against American law on behalf of criminal gang-banging illegals but if you want to act for illegals for your performance art campaign then pay the price and stop whining about it.
Maybe a little less performance when it comes to illegally breaking into a federal law enforcement facility next time.
Ahahahahahahahahaha
Control the narrative painting him as a poor helpless person being persecuted is a crime. If you’re not going to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, then stop. Your days of giving half truths and false narratives are over! Who cares what all the phony politicians have to say, they are nothing but liars and thieves looking out for themselves and not the people they are supposed to be representing.
Video is out from the insurrection of the mob illegally breaking into the federal law enforcement area. Among them an obese Democrat Rep. LaMonica McIver seen physically assaulting federal agents.
There’s going to be arrests based on the assaults on video. Pols lying one after another for these politicians who think they can attack federal law enforcement are going to be in for a rude awakening.
OMG….Democrats are truly idiots. This issue is one of the biggest reasons why they lost to Trump November 5th.