Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was released Friday night following his arrest earlier in the day at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center, amid a protest over immigration oversight and facility conditions. The arrest has triggered widespread backlash from lawmakers and state officials, with growing calls for accountability and transparency from federal authorities.
Baraka was taken into custody shortly after 2 p.m. during a visit to the facility, where he was joined by three members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation — Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez Jr. — to conduct what they described as lawful oversight of the controversial site. All three lawmakers have condemned the incident, saying they were physically pushed and manhandled by ICE agents as they attempted to intervene during the mayor’s arrest.
“This was a peaceful action,” Baraka said after his release just after 8 p.m. “We did nothing wrong.” He urged supporters to return home calmly.
Baraka’s release followed an emergency court order obtained by members of Congress, securing his freedom within hours of the arrest. No federal charges have been filed, though ICE officials accused Baraka of trespassing and ignoring repeated orders to leave federal property.
The protest at Delaney Hall — a private, for-profit immigration detention center housing more than 1,000 detainees — was fueled by mounting concerns from Newark lawmakers. Baraka has argued that ICE renovated and began using the facility without obtaining proper permits, inspections, or a certificate of occupancy, calling it a public safety issue.
Video footage from the scene shows federal officers shoving lawmakers and dragging Baraka off public property and onto the detention facility grounds before handcuffing him. ICE officials claimed the delegation “stormed” the facility without authorization, calling the visit a political stunt that endangered law enforcement and detainees.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended ICE’s actions, stating, “Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities… Had they requested a tour, we would have facilitated it.”
But members of Congress present rejected that version. “We were assaulted,” said Rep. LaMonica McIver. “We were shoved, dragged, and literally manhandled.” Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman added, “They snatched the mayor without explanation. This is not acceptable behavior from law enforcement.”
Rep. Rob Menendez said the mayor had been standing on public ground when taken, calling the arrest “a violation of basic constitutional rights.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued a forceful statement denouncing Baraka’s detention as “unjust.” He noted that New Jersey banned private immigration detention centers four years ago and reaffirmed his administration’s legal fight to enforce that ban.
“Mayor Baraka is an exemplary public servant who has always stood up for our most vulnerable neighbors,” Murphy said. “I am calling for his immediate and unconditional release.”
Sen. Cory Booker echoed those sentiments, calling the incident “disturbing and unnecessary,” and criticized law enforcement for failing to deescalate the situation.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin also condemned the arrest, calling it “deeply troubling” and “a violation of the most basic principles of our democracy.”
Baraka’s campaign team confirmed his release and said more details would be shared in due course. For now, the arrest has further inflamed debate over immigration enforcement, government accountability, and the treatment of public officials engaged in peaceful protest.
