DHS Secretary Tracie McLaughlin hints that three New Jersey Congress members might face criminal charges after Newark’s mayor is detained for trespassing.
Newark, N.J. — Mayor Ras J. Baraka said he will be going to court after his arrest at an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center on Friday, May 9, in Newark. The New Jersey leader recounted that he was taken into custody while waiting for a post-visit briefing by a congressional delegation. Of whom, wanted to tour the new Delaney Hall immigrant facility.
Details around the events leading up to his detention, and following, are still muddy. Yet, his intense conflict with Geo Group Inc., proprietors of Delaney Hall, and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Secretary Tracie McLaughlin are salient, and ongoing.
“I honestly believe that I was targeted,” expressed Mayor Baraka in an MSBNC interview.
On the other hand, a DHS release described the incident as congressional officials “storming into a detention facility” and “a bizarre political stunt [that] puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and detainees at risk.”
Secretary McLaughlin described it as a “cheap political stunt” by Mayor Baraka who is running in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race.
In a released statement and video Mayor Baraka emphasized that footage “dispel[s] descriptions of my entry into Delaney Hall last Friday as ‘storming’ the facility. These videos make it clear that Delaney Hall personnel opened the gate for me, and allowed me to enter the property, as well as my calm and respectful departure when asked to leave. None of my actions were orchestrated or preconceived, and this arrest occurred because I was specifically targeted by this Administration.”
One of the congressional members in the party, Rep. Robert Menendez Jr. “clear[ed] the record” by explaining that congressional members were not at Delaney Hall to protest. Rather, they went there to see the private prison and were sitting in one of the facility’s rooms, expecting to get clearance for a walk through. Rep. Menendez pointed out that congress members have a “statutory right to make an unannounced visit to any ICE facility.”
On that day, the Brick City mayor’s accounts said he had given a press conference earlier. Like days before, he and other City officials attempted to gain entry into Delaney Hall to address ongoing City concerns and a subsequent lawsuit. In which, the City claims that the immigrant center was actively operating, but in non-compliance with occupancy and safety codes.
DHS countered. “The allegations made by Newark politicians that Delaney does not have the proper permitting are false. We have valid permits, and inspections for plumbing and electricity, and fire codes have been cleared.”
Initially, Mayor Baraka walked into the facility as a part of the touring group. In the party with Rep. Menendez were New Jersey Democrat congressional officials, Rep. LaMonica McIver and Rep. Betty Watson Coleman.
After about an hour in a waiting room, Mayor Baraka was told to leave by ICE officials and was identified as the only member in the group who could not participate in the tour. Before he left, there were some heated words exchanged, but Baraka acquiesced then walked outside of the perimeter of Delaney Hall and stood in its driveway on the public side of the gates.
Once outside, and at some point, a video shows Rep. Menendez informing the mayor of ICE officials preparing to arrest him.
When the gates reopened, Rep. Menendez reported that over 20 armed ICE officials moved in on Baraka who stood in a crowd, some of whom were protestors and immigration activists. An identified person yelled for the group to “circle the mayor,” to create a barricade between him and law enforcement.
By then, all of the congressional persons were also outside and Rep. Watson Coleman and Rep. McIver began to hug Mayor Baraka. Others stood between him and law enforcement. In the moment, shouting, pushing and yelling reached a crescendo, creating a chaotic scene. One ICE official was seen pulling out a baton as officers shoved and encircled the Baraka barricade. Rep. McIver reported ICE officers as having “rough[ed] up members of congress.”
In a video, Rep. McIver is shown swinging at officers, and even Rep. Menendez, as she is being forcefully moved around, squashed in the wave of bodies with Rep. Watson Coleman who looked frightened.
“As we have done before, we went to conduct lawful congressional oversight—to do our jobs and demand answers for our constituents. We were met with contempt, disrespect, and aggression from ICE,” stated Congresswoman McIver in a press release.
Eventually, Mayor Baraka allowed himself to be taken into custody and was released hours later to an anxious and upset crowd of supporters. While waiting for Baraka’s release, Rep. Watson Coleman said the actions show the “weaponization of law enforcement” in America. She added, “none of us are safe.”
Cynthia Hardaway, a New Jersey civil rights attorney, told Ark Republic that it is unclear if the proper process of an arrest was conducted. “We didn’t hear about him seeing a judge or being released on his own recognizance,” commented Hardaway, who explained that both are a part of the basic procedure when arrested. Baraka was reportedly fingerprinted and given a pretrial date of May 15.
The day of events reverberated in the news cycle with activists and citizens critiquing the way the city’s 40th mayor was handled. “Members of Congress and any public official is not above the law. You cannot body slam or body ram, shove, strike or otherwise assault a law enforcement officer,” Secretary McLaughlin said.
When asked if DHS will pursue charges against the representatives, the Trump-pick offered that “everything is still on the table,” but she will leave it to the Department of Justice for the final decision.
Editors note: Ark Republic reached out to Baraka’s communications team for a statement, but responded after story went to press. His release is now reflected in the story. For the record, Baraka’s lack of communication with Ark Republic, a Newark-based news outlet, has been a consistent issue with the Baraka Administration for years.
Updated: May 17, 2025 at 11:58 a.m.
