Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested Friday after he entered a federal immigration detention center and refused orders to leave, according to U.S. officials. The incident marks a dramatic escalation for Baraka, who is currently one of the top Democratic candidates in the race for New Jersey governor.

I am outraged by the unjust arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka earlier this afternoon outside of Delaney Hall in Newark.

I am calling for his immediate release by federal law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/BLl7sDHpQK

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 9, 2025

According to U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey.” She added, “He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”

The incident took place outside Delaney Hall, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility where individuals currently held include suspected MS-13 gang members, accused child rapists, and others facing serious charges, reports The New York Times.

HAPPENING NOW: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was just taken into custody while protesting outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention center pic.twitter.com/JMOaSsnLis

— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) May 9, 2025

Local outlet Insider NJ reported that a spokesperson for Baraka’s campaign confirmed his arrest, saying the mayor “was arrested and detained by ICE” and was being taken to the Homeland Security Investigations Newark field office.

The Department of Homeland Security described Baraka’s actions as a “beyond bizarre political stunt.”

HOLY SHIT 🔥🔥 : Rep. Robert Henendez delivers a passionate speech following the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for his protest of an ICE facility. "They put their hands on two members of Congress standing behind me. How is this acceptable?"pic.twitter.com/f9XTdwvAuP

— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) May 9, 2025

Baraka, a self-described progressive, has drawn scrutiny over the years for his political associations and past public statements. In 2004, he introduced Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan at a Newark church event and praised him as “the leader of every black person.” Video from the event shows Baraka applauding after Farrakhan denounced non-violence and described white people as “the enemy” and “demons.”

In one portion of the speech, Farrakhan said, “We didn’t believe in no non-violence. The cracker hit you on your jaw, you break his neck. That’s the way we think.” Baraka gave a standing ovation following that remark.

Baraka has also posted photos with rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who endorsed him during his 2014 mayoral run. In 2015, Baraka shared a photo of himself with Combs on Facebook, writing, “great to see see you [P. Diddy] … you’re welcome here anytime!”

As a gubernatorial candidate, Baraka’s campaign platform focuses heavily on “equity.” His campaign website states that if elected, he will “deconstruct the state budget and reassemble with equity as our north star; judging every decision as either a step towards equity or a step towards inequity.”