US Mayor Arrested After Trespassing ICE Detention Centre Amid Legal Dispute
Baraka, 55, a Democrat currently running for governor of New Jersey, had previously opposed the facility, arguing it violated city code and lacked the proper permits.
Newark Mayor, Ras Baraka, has been arrested for allegedly trespassing inside the Delaney Hall at the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, just weeks after his administration filed a lawsuit to block its operation.
The interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, announced the arrest on Friday, stating that Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings” from Department of Homeland Security officials who had asked him to leave the premises, CNBC reports.
“He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody,” Habba wrote on X. “NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW,” she added.
Baraka, 55, a Democrat currently running for governor of New Jersey, had previously opposed the facility, arguing it violated city code and lacked the proper permits. His spokesman, Kabir Moss, confirmed the arrest to NBC News.
According to Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, at least three U.S. House Democrats from New Jersey were also present at the detention centre on Friday.
Baraka’s office has not yet responded to CNBC’s request for comment.
