Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested outside Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention center in Newark, on Friday after he refused to leave the premises, according to Alina Habba, the acting U.S. attorney and a former lawyer for Donald Trump. Baraka allegedly committed trespassing by ignoring multiple warnings from officials at the facility operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), though it remains unclear whether charges will be filed against him.
Baraka, a prominent progressive figure and current mayor since 2014, is campaigning for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination this year. He has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration and has previously accused the former president of being a “criminal.” In an advertisement earlier this year, he stated, “They don’t have to go too far to look for criminals. They just need to go to the Oval Office.”
Delaney Hall reopened on May 1, as part of the Trump administration’s controversial plan to convert it into an immigrant detention center. This incident has garnered attention amid Baraka’s political aspirations and his advocacy against the treatment of immigrants.
Baraka’s spokesperson has yet to comment on the arrest, and further updates are expected. The arrest adds unforeseen complexities to his ongoing gubernatorial campaign as he seeks to solidify his stance among progressive voters. This is a developing story, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
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