In a striking political moment with implications for immigration policy and states’ rights, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on May 9, 2025, outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in New Jersey (see video below). Baraka, a prominent Democratic figure and current gubernatorial candidate, was among elected officials and activists protesting the reopening of the privately operated detention center, which recently resumed operations under a federal contract despite opposition from state and local leaders.
According to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Baraka was taken into custody after allegedly trespassing on federal property and refusing multiple requests to vacate the premises. Authorities stated that Baraka attempted to join members of Congress—Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez—who were seeking access to inspect the facility. Unlike the congressional delegation, Baraka was not granted entry, and officials argued he crossed into restricted territory.
The arrest has sparked a fierce backlash in New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy called the incident “a disgrace,” emphasizing that the state passed legislation in 2021 banning private immigration detention centers. “This facility is not only out of step with our values but arguably in violation of state law,” Murphy stated. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin added, “Peaceful protest should not be met with handcuffs, especially when it concerns matters of moral and legal urgency.”
Supporters of Baraka view the arrest as a heavy-handed response to a legitimate protest. They argue that Baraka was exercising his right to peacefully demonstrate and was acting in line with New Jersey’s legal stance against the privatization of immigration enforcement. Critics of private prisons have long accused facilities like Delaney Hall—run by GEO Group—of prioritizing profit over humane conditions, with little transparency or accountability.
However, federal officials maintain that the Delaney Hall facility operates under legal jurisdiction granted by federal contract and that local or state preferences cannot override immigration enforcement protocols. An ICE spokesperson noted that the facility helps alleviate overcrowding and improve logistical efficiency in processing undocumented migrants. “Interference with federal operations cannot be tolerated, regardless of one’s political position or elected office,” the agency said in a statement.
The broader issue reflects a growing national rift between state and federal governments over immigration enforcement, private detention centers, and the boundaries of local autonomy. While New Jersey law may prohibit such facilities, the federal government retains the authority to enforce immigration laws and contract with private entities for detention services. Legal experts suggest that the dispute may soon land in federal court, testing the limits of state sovereignty versus federal supremacy.
Baraka was released hours after his arrest and vowed to continue opposing the facility’s presence in Newark. “We will not stand by while this unjust institution operates in the heart of our city,” he told supporters. “Newark is not a dumping ground for policies we never asked for and do not support.”
As the election season heats up, the incident is likely to galvanize both supporters and opponents of Baraka’s platform. Whether seen as a courageous stand or an unnecessary political stunt, the arrest has elevated a local protest into a flashpoint of national debate—one that blends immigration policy, states’ rights, and the role of civil disobedience in the age of federal privatization.
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