On Thursday, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka appeared in federal court after being arrested for trespassing at an ICE detention center last week. The arrest came amid a larger controversy over access to the facility, which is a privately run immigration detention center. Baraka, who is also a Democratic candidate for governor, was charged with trespassing and claims he was the only person arrested, suggesting he was targeted.
During his court appearance, Baraka’s defense team contested the arrest, insisting that the government has not provided enough evidence to sustain the charge. They declined to accept a plea deal and are seeking a trial by late July. The defense requested all exculpatory evidence by May 19, with discovery proceedings due by May 22, which both parties agreed to. Despite these efforts, the court has not set a trial date yet.
Protesters gathered outside the federal court building, with several activists expressing outrage over Baraka’s arrest. Activists from the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice criticized the arrest as an example of ICE’s overreach. Baraka, who has been a vocal advocate for immigrant rights, argued that his presence at the facility was in line with his commitment to upholding the Constitution and local laws. He described the arrest as an attempt to humiliate and degrade him, despite his assertion that he did not break any laws.
The incident occurred when activists had been calling for access to the ICE facility for days. The facility, which was revamped as an immigration detention center this year, has become a focal point for protests. Baraka and three members of Congress were present at the facility when an ICE bus arrived. All four officials allegedly rushed through the gates and past security, according to officials from the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, stated that Baraka committed trespass and ignored warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to leave the facility.
Protesters at the federal court echoed this sentiment, with some shouting “Shame, shame, shame” at Habba as she entered the courtroom. House Republicans have warned that consequences may be in store for the three Democratic members of Congress who accompanied Baraka. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., mentioned that there are three possible disciplinary actions in Congress that the House can take regarding Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.
Baraka’s arrest has sparked a wide range of reactions, with some viewing it as a necessary enforcement of the law, while others see it as a politically motivated move. The case has the potential to have broader implications beyond the courtroom, as it continues to draw attention from both political and legal circles.