On Friday May 9, 2025, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was taken into custody. He was charged with felony trespass at the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Newark, New Jersey. Federal authorities charged him with one count of criminal trespass in Newark federal court. After his arrest, Baraka was released at the end of that same day without having to pay bond.
Baraka joined it with members of Congress to officially tour the facility. Among them were Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez and LaMonica McIver. The legislators made it onto the grounds, but were apparently threatened and told to leave by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel. Alina Habba, the then-interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, alleged that Baraka had previously been warned several times and had committed trespass.
“We entered the facility, came BACK OUT to speak to the Mayor, and then ICE agents began shoving us,” – Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman
Witnesses described rising hostility in the days leading up to the incident. Later, Baraka posted a video on social media that showed the violent stampede as it happened during the melee. The whole ordeal has ignited a robust political discussion, especially since Baraka’s now in the midst of a campaign to become New Jersey’s next governor.
As DHS officials have repeatedly and unequivocally made clear, what’s happening there is unlawful. It joined DHS’s earlier arguments in asserting that Congress members have no legal authority to enter detention facilities illegally. This was the concern expressed by Tricia McLaughlin, the former spokesperson for DHS.
“Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities,” – Tricia McLaughlin
She cautioned that more arrests are likely as investigators continue their work.
Congressman Rob Menendez said he was devastated by what had happened. He underscored the ability for members of Congress to conduct surprise, on-the-ground oversight of DHS operations.
“As Members of Congress, we have a legal right to conduct oversight at any DHS facility without prior notice, as we have already done twice this year,” – Rob Menendez
DHS officials continue to maintain that their agents operated lawfully. With this move, they weren’t trying to insulate themselves from criticism, they were trying to insulate their personnel from harm. McLaughlin stated firmly,
“We will not tolerate assault against our ICE law enforcement agents. By members of Congress or anyone else,” – Tricia McLaughlin
The incident has unleashed a political firestorm, victim of an unsavory character attack DHS officials have doggedly defended. Menendez stated that the Trump administration “isolated this tragedy” and engaged in “lies and misinformation” about what transpired.
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