Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been arrested and is currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after allegedly trespassing during a protest against the establishment of a migrant detention center in the city.

The arrest was confirmed by U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, who stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Mayor Baraka trespassed and ignored warnings from Homeland Security members.”

The incident comes just days after Baraka publicly condemned the federal government’s plan to use a Newark facility as a detention center for migrants. The mayor, who has led New Jersey’s largest city since 2014, is also a prominent candidate in the ongoing race for governor — a campaign that has been built on themes of justice, equity, and community empowerment.

Mayor Baraka had been vocal in his opposition, calling the proposed facility “an affront to Newark’s legacy as a sanctuary city.” Sources close to City Hall report that the mayor visited the site earlier this week, where he was seen engaging with federal agents and community members protesting the center’s development.

Baraka’s arrest has already triggered strong reactions from local activists, political allies, and civil rights groups who argue that the move was politically motivated and designed to silence dissent.

“This arrest is outrageous,” said a spokesperson from the Newark Freedom Coalition. “Mayor Baraka was standing up for the people of Newark and defending the values this city represents.”

Federal officials, however, have maintained that Baraka’s actions violated security protocols. A Homeland Security source told reporters that the mayor was repeatedly warned not to enter the restricted property but refused to comply.

Despite being in custody, Mayor Baraka’s team has released a brief statement: “The mayor stands firm in his commitment to protecting the rights of all people, regardless of their immigration status. He will continue to speak truth to power, no matter the personal cost.”