Alina Habba just took a massive stand against politicians who think they’re above the law.
The rules that apply to regular Americans apparently don’t apply to Democratic mayors, or so they thought.
Because Alina Habba dropped a bombshell on Newark’s Mayor that hit him like a ton of bricks.
Mayor gets a reality check
Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark thought he could violate federal law with impunity on Friday.
He found out the hard way that the Trump administration means business when it comes to enforcing immigration laws.
Baraka was taken into custody at an ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey after refusing to leave the premises despite multiple warnings from federal authorities.
Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, made the announcement on social media that sent shockwaves through Democratic circles.
“The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon,” Habba wrote. “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 Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this…
— Alina Habba (@AlinaHabba) May 9, 2025
Habba’s decisive action reinforces the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing federal immigration laws, even when local Democratic politicians attempt to obstruct them.
Political showdown over immigration
The arrest stems from an ongoing battle between Baraka and federal authorities over the operation of the ICE detention facility.
Baraka, who is currently running for governor to replace term-limited Democrat Phil Murphy, has been grandstanding against Trump’s immigration policies as part of his campaign.
The mayor has been trying to shut down the detention center at Delaney Hall, claiming it was opened without proper permits from the city. The two-story facility previously served as a halfway house until February 2025, when ICE and the GEO Group announced a 15-year, $1 billion contract to convert it into a detention center.
Baraka immediately filed a lawsuit against GEO Group following the announcement, making clear his intention to obstruct federal immigration enforcement at every turn.
On Friday, Baraka was joined by Representatives LaMonica McIver, Rob Menendez, and Bonnie Watson Coleman for what they described as an “oversight visit” to the facility.
“We’re at Delaney Hall, an ICE prison in Newark that opened without permission from the city & in violation of local ordinances,” Rep. Coleman posted on social media before the arrest.
Democrats’ sanctuary policies under fire
This incident highlights the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic local officials who use “sanctuary” policies to shield illegal immigrants from federal law enforcement.
President Trump has made securing the southern border and enforcing immigration laws central priorities of his second term. His administration has been cracking down on local officials who attempt to obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
The arrest of Mayor Baraka sends a clear message that the days of local officials defying federal immigration laws without consequences are over.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, local officials routinely ignored federal immigration authorities with impunity, leading to a historic border crisis that saw millions of illegal immigrants pour into the country.
The Trump administration has taken swift action to reverse these policies, including restoring the “Remain in Mexico” policy and restarting construction of the border wall.
Baraka’s arrest demonstrates that the administration is equally committed to enforcing immigration laws within the country’s interior, particularly against public officials who abuse their position to obstruct federal authorities.
