Newark Mayor Ras Baraka asserts video evidence shows he was invited into ICE facility.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has recently released video footage that he claims demonstrates he was invited onto the grounds of Delaney Hall, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center located in New Jersey, where he was arrested for trespassing. Baraka’s arrest occurred on Friday when he accompanied a congressional delegation for a surprise inspection of the facility, which has the capacity to house approximately 1,000 detainees.

The incident escalated when Baraka attempted to enter the detention center alongside Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver. Witness accounts indicate that tensions rose as Baraka approached the entrance of the facility. Following his arrest, he was held for several hours before being released.

In his social media communication, Baraka shared a ten-second video clip showing a guard opening the gate and allowing him access. He contended that this footage counters allegations of trespassing, stating that nobody was forceful or aggressive during the situation, as some reports suggested. Instead, he maintained that he was granted entry.

Shortly after entering, a federal official informed Baraka that he could not proceed further due to not being a member of Congress. This led to his return to the public side, where he was subsequently surrounded by law enforcement officers and taken into custody.

Alina Habba, the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, stated that Baraka disregarded multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to vacate the premises and was thus charged with trespassing. This statement has sparked further discourse regarding the propriety of Baraka’s visit and the broader implications surrounding the treatment of immigrants at ICE facilities.

Baraka has expressed his discontent with how his actions were portrayed, labeling the media characterization of his visit as misleading. He asserted that he felt targeted by the administration, emphasizing that his visit was neither planned nor orchestrated. The mayor, a Democrat, is currently campaigning for the position of governor, having previously opposed the operation of the Delaney Hall facility. His criticisms focus on ICE’s alleged failures to secure necessary permits and its refusal to allow city inspectors access, which has been dismissed as unfounded by officials from Homeland Security.

In navigating these contentious issues, Baraka maintains a commitment to advocating for immigrant rights and challenging practices he views as unjust. The incident at Delaney Hall serves as a focal point in his ongoing fight against what he characterizes as aggressive immigration policies.