On May 9, 2025, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, during a protest against the facility's reopening. Baraka, a prominent Democratic gubernatorial candidate, attempted to join a congressional delegation conducting oversight at the center but was denied entry and subsequently charged with trespassing.New Jersey Monitor+31Wikipedia+31DNyuz+31

The arrest sparked significant controversy and criticism. U.S. Magistrate Judge André Espinosa dismissed the charges, calling the prosecution's actions a "worrisome misstep" and an "embarrassing retraction," emphasizing that arrests, especially of public figures, should be based on thorough investigations rather than political motivations .New Jersey Globe+1New York Post+1The Daily Beast+6The Independent+6New Jersey Globe+6

Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a former personal attorney for Donald Trump, announced the dismissal of Baraka's charges but simultaneously filed assault charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver, who was present during the incident. McIver denies the allegations, asserting that the charges are politically motivated and aimed at suppressing legislative oversight .Inquirer.com+17The Guardian+17New Jersey Globe+17CBS News+1The Guardian+1

Baraka has utilized the incident to bolster his gubernatorial campaign, releasing advertisements portraying his arrest as a stand against the Trump administration's immigration policies . The situation underscores ongoing tensions between local officials and federal authorities over immigration enforcement and the politicization of legal actions.