Newark Mayor Arrested During Protest Against ICE Facility Opening

Newark, New Jersey — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested Tuesday while protesting outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility called Delaney Hall. The mayor, alongside three members of Congress, participated in a protest against the facility, which opened on May 1 and has been contentious due to its impact on the community.

Baraka was charged with trespassing after attempting to enter the facility, which has the capacity to hold 1,000 detainees. He was released approximately five hours later. The mayor contends that Delaney Hall should not have opened due to discrepancies regarding building permits, including the lack of a certificate of occupancy.

“We are opposed and alarmed by them setting up a detention center,” Baraka stated at a press conference held after his release. “This is an issue of human rights, an issue of due process, and an issue of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.” Baraka has been vocal in his opposition since the facility’s announcement, claiming it violates state laws against private immigration detention centers.

The GEO Group operates the facility under a 15-year contract with ICE, a deal worth $1 billion. In his litigation against the company, Baraka is fighting to halt the facility’s operations, arguing it opened prematurely because it lacks proper permits.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin expressed concern over Baraka’s arrest, calling it a violation of democratic principles. “Arresting public officials for peacefully protesting violates the most basic principles of our democracy,” Platkin said.

GEO Group spokesperson Christopher Ferreira responded to the controversy, stating that the facility is creating hundreds of jobs and is projected to contribute significantly to Newark’s economy. However, he also accused Baraka of politicizing the situation, highlighting that the facility operated previously under the Obama administration without objection.

The current conflict emphasizes a divide in approaches to immigration policy within the state, as Baraka campaigns for the Democratic nomination for governor in an election set for June 10. As protests against the facility continue, the outcome of the legal proceedings could have lasting implications for Newark and surrounding communities.