Newark Mayor Ras Baraka visits ICE detention center shortly after his arrest.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka recently returned to Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center, following his arrest for allegedly trespassing at the same location just days earlier. This visit highlights his ongoing opposition to the privately operated facility, which has become a focal point in his political agenda as he runs for governor.
On Tuesday, Baraka attempted to approach the detention center but was stopped short by eight armed ICE officers, who prevented him from getting within approximately 20 feet of the entrance. The area was also secured with two SUVs and yellow barriers, indicating a heightened security presence, according to reports from NJ Advance Media.
The mayor’s initial arrest occurred last Friday when he sought to enter the facility alongside New Jersey Representatives Robert Menendez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver, who were conducting a congressional oversight visit. Upon arriving at the facility, Baraka contended that he was not trespassing, asserting that he believed he had the right to accompany the congressional members. Footage from the incident shows Baraka being informed that he could not enter due to not being a member of Congress, after which he joined protesters in a public area. He was subsequently surrounded by ICE officers, handcuffed, and escorted away from the premises.
Following his arrest, Rep. Watson Coleman accused the Department of Homeland Security of providing misleading information regarding the incident. Baraka expressed his dismay over what he described as misinformation surrounding his actions that day. He indicated that he felt “shocked by all the lies” circulated in the aftermath of his arrest.
Baraka is scheduled to appear in federal court for a hearing on the trespassing charge on Thursday, where he plans to plead not guilty. His opposition to the Detention Center has been staunch, especially after ICE awarded a 15-year contract to the Geo Group to manage operations at Delaney Hall earlier this year. Baraka has publicly criticized the Geo Group for allegedly violating city ordinances.
In a related development, Newark Fire Official Gwendolyn Saleem has made several attempts to serve summonses at Delaney Hall for violations of state fire safety laws, but these efforts have reportedly been unsuccessful, as no one at the facility has accepted the documentation. In response to the lack of cooperation, she resorted to attaching the summonses to a chain-link fence near the entrance.
This situation continues to evolve, raising questions about the interaction between local governance, federal law enforcement, and community activism regarding immigration issues. The developments surrounding Baraka and the Delaney Hall facility will likely play a significant role in the upcoming gubernatorial election in New Jersey.
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