Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Seeks Dismissal of Trespassing Charges After Detention-Center Protest

Attorneys for Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said Thursday they will ask a federal judge to dismiss trespassing charges stemming from Baraka’s May 9 arrest outside the new Delaney Hall immigration-detention center, calling the case a politically motivated prosecution by the Trump administration, as per Al Jazeera.

“We believe the mayor was selectively targeted,” defense lawyer Rahul Agarwal told U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa during a brief hearing in Newark. Agarwal argued that Baraka had been invited onto the property and was actually standing outside the facility gate when officers handcuffed him.

Baraka, a frequent critic of the 1,000-bed GEO Group–run complex, was detained while accompanying three members of Congress—Representatives LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rob Menendez—who said they arrived unannounced to carry out “lawful congressional oversight.” The lawmakers were allowed to continue their tour; Baraka was the only person arrested.

Federal prosecutors contend the mayor ignored repeated orders to leave private property and faces up to 30 days in jail if convicted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Demanovich told the court there is “clear evidence that the mayor was within the property line.”

Outside court, Baraka called the complaint part of a broader attempt to intimidate officials who oppose the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.

“This is bigger than me,” he said. “It’s about all of us.”

Civil-rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have echoed that view, accusing the federal government of criminalizing legitimate oversight. Video posted by Baraka shows a guard opening the gate moments before his arrest, which the mayor argues proves he was allowed inside.

Next Steps

Judge Espinosa ordered Baraka to be processed a second time by U.S. Marshals—fingerprints and mugshot included—before leaving the courthouse, a requirement that briefly confused defense lawyers who said the mayor had already been processed after his initial arrest.

Baraka’s legal team plans to file its formal motion to dismiss in the coming weeks. No trial date has been set.

Baraka, widely viewed as a leading contender for New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial race, vowed to continue challenging what he called “ongoing violations of due process” at Delaney Hall.