Politics
BREAKING: Democrat Mayor Arrested By Feds: ‘No One Is Above The Law’
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested Friday afternoon by federal agents at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center after a confrontation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers. The dramatic incident, caught on video by local media, unfolded during an oversight visit by members of Congress and ended with Baraka in handcuffs.
According to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings” to leave the premises. In a sharp statement released following the arrest, Habba wrote, “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. 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.”
Baraka was reportedly attempting to accompany a congressional delegation touring the newly designated immigration detention facility at Delaney Hall. While initial reports described the visit as routine, tension reportedly escalated after Baraka was stopped at the gate, later allowed in, and then involved himself in conversations federal agents deemed unauthorized.
Footage from News12NJ shows Baraka being led away in handcuffs by federal agents following a heated verbal altercation. The circumstances of the dispute remain unclear, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office has labeled his conduct unlawful.
WATCH:
Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center after an argument with agents. Members of congress here for a scheduled visit, were shoved after trying to include Baraka in conversations after he gained entry through the gate.@news12nj #newark @News12NJ pic.twitter.com/6UDQWiIhQ7
— Amanda Lee (@amandaleetv) May 9, 2025
Sources familiar with the visit say that several members of Congress were “shoved” when they attempted to intervene on Baraka’s behalf. The identities of those lawmakers have not yet been confirmed. The Delaney Hall facility recently came under federal contract to serve as a detention center for immigration enforcement operations.
Delaney Hall, a privately run detention facility operated by The GEO Group, costs taxpayers $63 million a year under its lease agreement. Earlier this week, the city of Newark took legal action, demanding increased access and oversight after ICE allegedly failed to disclose how many detainees are currently being held in the building—which has a maximum capacity of 1,000. Mayor Baraka said Monday the problems at Delaney Hall extend well beyond the absence of safety inspections and permitting, calling the situation unacceptable.
NEW YORK – APRIL 25: (L-R) Robert “Don Pooh” Cummins, Ras Baraka and David L. Thomas attend the private celebration for Brooklyn Chop House Times Square on April 25, 2022 in New York City.
“We found some violations,” Baraka said at the time. “Violations that put first responders at risk, violations that put detainees and workers that are there at risk.”
A top Homeland Security official slammed Baraka on Thursday, accusing him of putting lives at risk with his public opposition to a local ICE detention facility.
“The sanctuary mayor of Newark and his political antics are endangering ICE personnel, the security of the facility, and ultimately the detainees housed there,” explained Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Communications at the Department of Homeland Security, in a statement to NJ Advance Media.
More information is expected to follow…
