Newark, N.J. — Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested Friday at a federal immigration detention center after attempting to protest its recent opening. A federal prosecutor confirmed that Baraka faced charges of trespassing for ignoring warnings from federal security personnel at Delaney Hall, the facility operated by GEO Group, a private prison operator.

Alina Habba, acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, reported on the social media platform X that Baraka chose to disregard legal instructions and was subsequently taken into custody. His arrest adds another layer to the contentious debate over immigration enforcement policies under the Trump administration.

Baraka, a Democrat and candidate for governor, has vocally criticized the newly opened detention center. He contends that it should not be operational due to issues with its building permits. Witnesses recounted the events leading to his arrest, noting that he had been trying to join a tour scheduled for that day with three members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation: Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

According to those present, a disagreement escalated when federal officials barred Baraka from entering the facility. Activist Viri Martinez described the scene as tense, with shouting and physical confrontations between Baraka’s supporters and law enforcement agents. Witnesses claimed that federal agents swarmed Baraka, eventually placing him in handcuffs and taking him to an unmarked vehicle.

The Department of Homeland Security disputed testimonies claiming the lawmakers sought a tour, stating that officials had not received such a request. In a statement, DHS indicated that a chaotic scene unfolded as protestors, including some congressional members, allegedly attempted to storm the facility’s gates.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the incident as “a bizarre political stunt,” emphasizing that safety for both agents and detainees was compromised. She asserted that Congress members are not above the law and would have been granted a tour had they requested one in advance.

Footage from the incident captures a federal officer notifying Baraka he was not eligible to join the tour. After leaving the restricted area to rejoin the protesters, Baraka engaged in conversation with a federal representative and was warned that agents were discussing his arrest. He contended that he hadn’t trespassed and asserted his rights on public property.

As the situation intensified, ICE agents surrounded Baraka and other activists on the public side of the fence, leading to his dramatic removal in handcuffs. Despite multiple attempts to reach Baraka’s office for comment, no response was provided by Friday afternoon; however, a campaign spokesperson promised to release more information as it became available.

The detention center itself was previously repurposed from a halfway house and has attracted criticism since its inception. In February, ICE awarded a substantial contract to GEO Group, marking a significant commitment for the private operator that could generate over $60 million annually in revenue. As part of a broader strategy, the Trump administration aims to dramatically increase nationwide detention capacity to address immigration enforcement.

DHS maintained that Delaney Hall possesses all requisite permits and has completed necessary inspections to begin operations, countering claims from local protests against the facility. As this situation continues to unfold, it highlights the tensions surrounding immigration policies and local governance in New Jersey.