AURN News with Ebony McMorris

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Arrested

Ebony McMorris
May 9, 2025

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The commotion captured outside the Delaney Hall ICE Detention Center earlier today marked the moment Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested. Members of Congress were scheduled to visit the facility at the time of the incident.

The prison in Newark opened without permission from the city, violating local ordinances. According to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Baraka was transported, remains in custody and has been charged with trespassing.

Congresswoman Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., speaks to the press after Newark mayor Ras Baraka was arrested while protesting at Delancey Hall ICE detention prison, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Newark, N.J, (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Baraka was protesting outside the facility to stop it from operating. He is also running for governor and was joined by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rep. Rob Menendez.

The 1,000-bed facility is the largest in New Jersey and is one of many flashpoints in the debate over immigration and deportation policies under the Trump administration.

Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris is a native Washingtonian and University of South Carolina alumna. Her passion is mentoring young adults by teaching community empowerment and media education. She is an NAB member and board member of the Thurgood Marshall Center and was presented the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for contributing more than 4,000 hours of community service under the Obama Administration.