Newark Mayor Baraka Arrested at Delaney Hall ICE Facility, Held Four Hours, Court Date Set for May 15

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on May 9 outside Delaney Hall, a newly reopened 1,000-bed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark, New Jersey, operated by the private prison company GEO Group under a $1 billion, 15-year contract with ICE. The facility currently houses 152 detainees, or about 15% of its capacity. Baraka was charged with federal trespassing after attempting to join three Democratic members of Congress—Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Robert Menendez—who were conducting an oversight visit to the facility.

Baraka maintains that he was not protesting but supporting the congressional delegation and asserts he was on public property when detained by 20 armed, masked federal immigration agents. Video footage and witness accounts indicate Baraka left the secure area and was on the public side of the gate when he was arrested. No other officials were arrested, though ICE has suggested that members of Congress could face charges for allegedly assaulting officers, a claim they deny.

Baraka and city officials have an ongoing dispute with GEO Group and ICE, alleging the facility lacks proper permits and has blocked city inspections for health, fire, and safety compliance. The city is pursuing legal action to enforce local ordinances and require the facility to obtain an updated certificate of occupancy. GEO Group denies these allegations, stating it holds valid permits.

Baraka was released after four hours in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 15, for a preliminary hearing on the trespassing charge. He has stated he plans to plead not guilty. A magistrate has cautioned federal officials, including interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, against making public statements about the case.

Baraka, a Democratic candidate in New Jersey's June 10 gubernatorial primary, has compared his arrest to the biblical story of King David, calling it "our David moment" at a political rally. The incident has intensified the ongoing conflict between local leaders and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement and the oversight of private detention centers.