Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a lawsuit that’s poised to shake up New Jersey politics just days before the June 10 gubernatorial primary.
In a bold legal move, Baraka is suing interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba and Homeland Security Investigations agent Ricky Patel over his arrest last month at a federal immigration detention facility—an incident now taking center stage in the heated race for governor.
At the core of Baraka’s suit are allegations of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation, all stemming from a May 9 altercation at Delaney Hall, an ICE-operated facility in Newark. Baraka claims he was invited to the site by congressional Democrats conducting a routine oversight visit.
According to the lawsuit, he stood outside the gate, attempting to de-escalate growing tension among demonstrators when a guard ultimately invited him onto the property to calm the crowd.
That’s when things escalated. Patel, the supervising Homeland Security officer on-site, allegedly ordered Baraka to leave. The mayor initially resisted, engaging in a verbal exchange before eventually complying—only to be handcuffed and arrested minutes later. The lawsuit accuses Patel and Habba of deliberately overreaching their authority, acting in a personal rather than official capacity to target a political opponent.
Though Habba dropped the trespassing charge shortly after filing it, Baraka claims the damage had already been done. His legal team argues that the arrest was orchestrated to “maximize humiliation” and derail his campaign—a theory reinforced by the fact that super PACs supporting Baraka are now using footage of the arrest to rally support in the Democratic primary.
The timing is no coincidence. The lawsuit dropped on the first day of early voting, underscoring Baraka’s strategy to transform what could have been a political liability into a populist rallying cry.
He’s campaigning as a progressive who “shows up and stands up,” painting his arrest as the cost of fighting for transparency and accountability in federal detention policy.
Habba, for her part, is dismissive. In a statement posted to X, she downplayed the lawsuit as a distraction and jabbed at Baraka’s priorities, writing: “Feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey.”
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Author: Mark Stevens
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