In a bold statement following his arrest on Tuesday, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka reaffirmed the city's commitment to legally challenge the Geo Group, the company responsible for operating an immigration detention facility in New Jersey. During an appearance on MSNBC with Rev. Al Sharpton, Baraka expressed his intent to participate in upcoming protests related to the issue, saying, “I know there are some protests that other people are planning, and if I feel obligated to be there, I will.” He emphasized, “This doesn’t stop the city’s contention with the Geo Group, and we’re going to continue in court with them.”
Baraka was apprehended on Tuesday morning after attending a protest and press conference outside the new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility known as Delaney Hall, located in Newark. His arrest was executed by homeland security agents, who took him into custody at a different facility in Newark. After about five hours, Baraka was released with a charge of trespassing.
During a CNN interview on Saturday morning, Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, indicated that additional arrests may follow the protest, specifically mentioning the three Democratic members of Congress present—Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver. McLaughlin stated that these lawmakers “put law enforcement at risk” and suggested that DHS possesses body-camera footage showing them “assaulting our ICE enforcement officers.”
The city of Newark has initiated a lawsuit against the Geo Group after the company secured a 15-year, $1 billion contract with ICE to manage Delaney Hall. The city alleges that the Geo Group began renovations at the facility without the necessary permits and has obstructed local inspectors from accessing the site. However, federal officials and Geo Group representatives have denied these claims, asserting that all necessary permits were obtained. They characterized Baraka's arrest as a “publicity stunt” linked to his gubernatorial race aspirations.
In his discussion with Sharpton, Baraka recounted his experience during the protest, noting that he was barred from entering the facility while the Congress members were allowed in as part of an oversight visit. A video reviewed by the New York Times showed a homeland security agent informing Baraka of the prohibition against his entry. Despite leaving the area “several times,” he was ultimately arrested outside the facility gates. Baraka maintains that he “didn’t do anything wrong.”
Baraka criticized the federal government's lack of transparency regarding the individuals housed in the detention facility. He stated, “We don’t know what’s going on in there, we don’t know who’s in there. They don’t allow inspectors. They’re not complying with local laws.” He expressed concern that the federal authorities feel exempt from judicial scrutiny, highlighting the importance of accountability in immigration detention operations.
As Newark continues its fight against the Geo Group, Mayor Ras Baraka's arrest has underscored the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the operations of detention facilities in the region.
