Ras Baraka, Newark’s Democratic mayor, found himself in handcuffs, and he’s crying foul. On May 7, 2025, Baraka was arrested for trespassing at an ICE facility during a protest, the only one singled out among a crowd that included three congressional lawmakers. Turns out, actions have consequences, even for gubernatorial candidates, Fox News reported.
Baraka, also running for New Jersey governor, was nabbed at the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, a privately run detention center revamped in 2025. The incident unfolded when Baraka and Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman allegedly rushed past security as an ICE bus entered. Protesters, including activists demanding access to the facility, cheered them on.
Homeland Security officials didn’t take kindly to the gate-crashing. They slapped Baraka with a class C misdemeanor trespassing charge, which carries a maximum 30-day sentence. While the lawmakers claimed they were there for “oversight duties,” Baraka was the only one fingerprinted, photographed, and cuffed.
In federal court on May 15, 2025, Baraka’s defense team came out swinging. They rejected a plea deal, arguing the government lacked evidence to justify the arrest. The defense demanded exculpatory evidence by May 19 and discovery by May 22, a timeline both sides agreed to.
Baraka’s lawyers pushed for a trial by late July, but the judge pumped the brakes, citing the need for thorough discovery. No next court date was set, leaving the mayor’s legal saga in limbo. Meanwhile, both sides will submit a proposed schedule for the court’s review.
Outside the courthouse, dozens of protesters rallied, shouting “Shame, shame, shame” at U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. Habba, unfazed, had earlier posted on social media that Baraka had ignored multiple warnings to leave the ICE facility. Sounds like someone didn’t read the room—or the law.
“We believe that I was targeted,” Baraka told reporters post-hearing, claiming he was humiliated. He was the only one arrested, cuffed, and locked up, which he says proves selective enforcement. Sorry, mayor, but trespassing isn’t a VIP pass.
Baraka doubled down, insisting he broke no laws and was defending the Constitution. “We stood up for the local laws,” he declared, framing his actions as a noble stand. Noble or not, rushing past security tends to raise eyebrows.
Activists like Viri Martinez from the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice fueled the fire. “Newark has become an epicenter for ICE’s terror,” she told the crowd, painting Baraka’s arrest as an ICE overreach. Hyperbole aside, the law doesn’t bend for loudspeakers.
The three lawmakers with Baraka—Menendez, McIver, and Watson Coleman—escaped arrest but not scrutiny. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., hinted at disciplinary action, noting Congress has “three possible” measures to address their conduct. Looks like oversight duties don’t include gate-storming.
The lawmakers insisted they were at Delaney Hall to monitor federal detention conditions, a congressionally mandated role. Yet, their decision to charge through security with Baraka raised questions about judgment. Oversight or overstep? The House may decide.
Protesters had been demanding access to Delaney Hall for days before the May 7 clash. Their frustration with the revamped facility boiled over, culminating in Baraka’s arrest. Activism is one thing; breaking the law is another.
“They tried their best to humiliate me,” Baraka said, decrying his treatment. He argued his arrest was an attempt to degrade him, yet stood firm that his actions were “completely correct.” Confidence is admirable, but courts prefer evidence.
Habba’s social media post laid it out plainly: Baraka was warned and didn’t comply. Her presence in the courtroom underscored the government’s resolve to pursue the case. Prosecutors don’t play favorites, even with mayors.
Baraka’s arrest, now a political lightning rod, could haunt his gubernatorial bid. While protesters and lawmakers rally to his cause, the legal system won’t be swayed by chants or congressional clout. In the end, the law might just have the last word.
