Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Sues U.S. Attorney Over Trespassing Arrest
Newark, NJ — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka filed a lawsuit against Alina Habba, New Jersey’s interim U.S. attorney, alleging that his recent arrest for trespassing at a federal immigration detention facility was driven by political motivations. Baraka, who is vying for the Democratic nomination for governor, claims the arrest was a result of “false arrest and malicious prosecution” and seeks damages for defamation related to Habba’s public statements about the case.
The lawsuit comes as early in-person voting begins ahead of New Jersey’s gubernatorial primary next week. Baraka’s arrest occurred on May 9 while he attempted to join a congressional oversight tour at Delaney Hall, a newly opened federal immigration facility. Although Baraka was initially charged with trespassing, Habba later dropped the charges within weeks, raising questions about the propriety of the arrest. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa criticized the rapid dismissal of charges, indicating a concerning misstep on the part of Habba’s office.
Baraka, who has strongly opposed the Trump administration’s immigration policies, insists that the incident has become a campaign distraction, stating, “I want somebody to apologize…We shouldn’t have done this.” His attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, mentioned an intention to target the Trump administration in a future lawsuit.
As the mayor’s campaign heats up, he emphasizes affordability and promises tax cuts, while tactfully sidestepping direct references to his arrest or immigration policies in his campaign ads. As Baraka navigates this politically charged environment, his rivals, including GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli, have also focused on immigration, with Ciattarelli proposing to eliminate sanctuary policies if elected. The outcome of Baraka’s legal battle may significantly influence his campaign’s trajectory in the coming weeks.
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