On June 3rd, Tuesday, Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, initiated a civil lawsuit targeting interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, alleging defamation, malicious prosecution, and unlawful arrest. The case stems from his May 9th arrest outside Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention facility in Newark, and arrives just days before the final stretch of his campaign for New Jersey governor. Homeland Security agent Ricky Patel is also named in the complaint.
The lawsuit claims Baraka was trying to accompany three members of Congress on an official oversight visit. A GEO Group security guard, working for the private firm managing Delaney Hall, had reportedly allowed him entry. Despite complying with an order to leave and causing no disruption, Baraka was surrounded and detained by more than 20 armed officers minutes after exiting.
Baraka alleges the arrest was politically motivated and intended to embarrass him. The complaint cites a deleted post by Habba that falsely accused him of trespassing. His lawyers plan to file an additional suit against the Trump administration after the required six-month waiting period under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Magistrate Judge André Espinosa criticized the case as “a worrisome misstep,” pointing to the dismissal of charges less than two weeks after the arrest. He warned prosecutors against political bias, emphasizing the need for fairness and truth in federal proceedings.
Baraka demanded an apology and for someone to admit the arrest was wrong. He said the incident damaged his reputation and caused emotional harm. It also intensified debate over how cities cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Baraka stated that Newark will not carry out federal immigration duties.
