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New Jersey mayor arrested for protesting at migrant centre New Jersey mayor arrested for protesting at migrant centre
(about 5 hours later)
Mayor Baraka, seen visiting the same facility on Wednesday Ras Baraka, mayor of Newark, seen visiting the same facility on Wednesday
The mayor of New Jersey's largest city has been released following his arrest on Friday afternoon after allegedly trying to force his way into a migrant detention facility. The mayor of New Jersey's largest city has been released following his arrest on Friday after allegedly trying to force his way into a migrant detention facility.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka "committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings" to leave Delaney Hall, a detention facility being run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to acting US attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka "committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings" to leave Delaney Hall, a facility being run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to acting US attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba.
Baraka was accompanied by three Democratic members of Congress, who were not arrested. They say they were there to conduct "oversight" to ensure that the facility is not violating any building safety ordinances. Baraka was accompanied by three Democratic members of Congress who were not arrested. They say they were there to conduct "oversight" to ensure the facility was not violating any building safety ordinances.
It is unclear whether Baraka faces criminal charges. Baraka told CNN he did not break any laws and was "exercising my right and duty as an elected official".
"The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center," Ms Habba, who previously worked as a personal lawyer to Donald Trump, wrote on X on Friday. He has been charged with one count of trespassing.
"He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW." Ms Habba, who previously worked as a personal lawyer for US President Donald Trump, wrote on X on Friday that Baraka "committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center".
A statement from the Department of Homeland Security said that a group of protesters, which included the Democrats, "stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility" as a bus with illegal migrants was being brought inside the fenced perimeter. "He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state," her statement added.
"These members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk," the statement adds. A separate statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that a group of protesters, which included the Democrats, "stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility" as a bus containing illegal migrants was being brought inside the fenced perimeter.
The department said it would have granted the Baraka entrance to the 1,000-bed facility had he properly requested one. "These members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk," the statement added.
Videos posted online of the arrest show a chaotic scene as protesters and officers physically clash and Baraka, who is running for New Jersey governor, is led away in handcuffs. Baraka told CNN on Friday night that he did not enter the 1,000-bed facility unlawfully. He said he was there for a news conference with the three members of Congress who had been granted entry into the facility.
Shortly before he is arrested, the video shows officers telling Baraka he will not be allowed inside. At one point he is told: "That is the last warning. You will be placed under arrest." Videos posted online of the arrest show a chaotic scene as protesters and officers physically clash and Baraka, who is also running to be New Jersey governor, is led away in handcuffs.
Shortly before he is arrested, the footage shows officers telling Baraka he will not be allowed inside. At one point he is told: "That is the last warning. You will be placed under arrest."
New Jersey's Democratic Governor Phil Murphy said he was "outraged" by Baraka's arrest.New Jersey's Democratic Governor Phil Murphy said he was "outraged" by Baraka's arrest.
Baraka was taken to a Department of Homeland Security detention centre. When he was released after a few hours, he told supporters who had gathering outside the facility: "We didn't do anything wrong." Baraka was taken to a DHS detention centre. When he was released after a few hours, he told supporters who had gathering outside the facility: "We didn't do anything wrong."
Earlier this year, Newark filed a lawsuit attempting to block use of the facility, which has become a flashpoint over the Trump administration's deportation policies.
City officials allege the private firm that signed a contract with ICE to operate the facility did not obtain proper permits and blocked necessary inspections. The firm has told media they have the proper permits, while the DHS has said all permits and inspections were up to date.
New Jersey Democratic lawmakers Rob Menendez Jr, Bonnie Watson Coleman and LaMonica McIver were also present during the protest.New Jersey Democratic lawmakers Rob Menendez Jr, Bonnie Watson Coleman and LaMonica McIver were also present during the protest.
City officials allege the private firm that signed a contract with ICE did not obtain proper permits and blocked necessary inspections. The firm has told media they have the proper permits. Earlier on Friday, Watson Coleman posted on social media: "We're at Delaney Hall, an ICE prison in Newark that opened without permission from the city & in violation of local ordinances.
Earlier on Friday, Congresswoman Watson Coleman posted on social media: "We're at Delaney Hall, an ICE prison in Newark that opened without permission from the city & in violation of local ordinances.
"We've heard stories of what it's like in other ICE prisons. We're exercising our oversight authority to see for ourselves.""We've heard stories of what it's like in other ICE prisons. We're exercising our oversight authority to see for ourselves."
In another post, Congresswoman McIver said that Baraka "did nothing wrong" and had already left the facility when he was arrested. In another post, McIver said that Baraka "did nothing wrong" and had already left the facility when he was arrested.
The move comes as federal agencies continue their crackdown on illegal immigration, following up on a key campaign promise made by President Trump. The move comes as federal agencies continue their crackdown on illegal immigration, following up on a key campaign promise made by Trump.