Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Arrested at ICE Jail, Denounces "Insane" Abuse of Power

Arrest at ICE Facility

• 🚨 Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and detained by masked federal immigration police while attempting to tour the Delaney Hall ICE jail.
• 📌 Baraka stated he was on public property outside the facility's gate when officers seized him in a "chaotic scene."
• 🏛️ The mayor was there to support three Democratic congressmembers who were scheduled to tour the facility, which advocates claim lacks proper permits.

Dispute Over Facility Permits

• 🏢 Baraka explained that the GEO Group-operated facility, Delaney Hall, is in dispute with the city over its need for an updated certificate of occupancy.
• ⚖️ The city is in court with GEO Group for allegedly defying city ordinances, and Baraka asserts the facility needs annual updates, not a certificate from 20 years ago.
• 🔍 Baraka's administration had previously conducted an initial inspection, found violations, and required GEO Group to apply for a new certificate, which they refused.

Escalation and Accusations

• 📞 An interim US attorney, Alina Hubba, accused Baraka of ignoring warnings to leave the premises, stating "no one is above the law."
• 🗣️ Baraka countered that he was not told to leave until after a specific agent, Patel, escalated the situation and that he was already on the other side of the fence when an agent received a phone call that seemed to precede his arrest.
• 🚫 Baraka was the only individual arrested, suggesting he was specifically targeted.

Concerns Over Detainee Welfare and Civil Liberties

• 🏥 Baraka is concerned about the facility's ability to ensure proper procedures for detainees, including health and fire safety, and to verify the number of people and beds.
• 📜 He highlighted that the facility was previously a drug rehab center and halfway house, and its conversion to a 1,000-bed detention facility requires updated permits.
• ⚖️ Baraka expressed support for New Jersey enacting a law to prohibit private prisons within the state.

Broader Implications for Democracy

• ⚠️ Baraka condemned statements from White House official Stephen Miller about potentially suspending habeas corpus, calling it "completely insane" and a "scary moment" for democracy.
• 🏛️ He argued that equating the situation to an invasion to justify suspending habeas corpus is a dangerous sign of authoritarianism.
• ✊ Baraka urged more people to stand up against such trends, emphasizing the existential threat posed by these actions.