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By Nick Mordowanec and Amanda Castro
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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba and a Homeland Security (DHS) official, alleging false arrest and defamation stemming from his detainment outside an immigration detention facility last month.
Newsweek reached out to Baraka, Habba and the DHS via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The suit comes almost a month after Baraka was taken into custody outside of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in New Jersey, Delaney Hall, as he and other lawmakers attempted to observe conditions within the facility. Baraka called the arrest "humiliating" and chastized Habba and DHS officials for escalating the situation.
Read More on Politics
Baraka is running in the state's Democratic gubernatorial primary next week.
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What To Know
Baraka accused Habba of authorizing his arrest despite evidence that he had committed no crime. The suit also takes issue with a post Habba made on X, formerly Twitter, in which she stated Baraka had "committed trespass," calling it a defamatory statement.
Habba's post, which is included in the suit, stated the following:
"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 state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW."
The other named official in the suit is Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark, according to the Associated Press.
In May, Baraka was joined outside the ICE facility by three Democratic members of Congress: Rob Menendez, LaMonica McIver and Bonnie Watson Coleman.
Although the charges against Baraka and others were later dropped, the lawsuit has reignited tensions over immigration policy and local cooperation with federal authorities.
U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa, who granted a retraction of Baraka's misdemeanor charge, criticized Habba for the situation, referring to it as a "worrisome misstep."
"Your role is not to secure convictions at all costs, nor to satisfy public clamor, nor to advance political agendas," Espinosa told Habba. "Your allegiance is to the impartial application of the law, to the pursuit of truth and to the upholding of due process for all.
"Your office must operate with a higher standard than that."
What People Are Saying
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, during a press conference on Tuesday: "This is not about revenge. Ultimately, it's about them taking accountability for what they did."
Alina Habba, Monday on X: "'Shocking' leak from Mayor Baraka's team: He is planning to sue the Feds. My advice to the mayor - feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey."
What Happens Next
The lawsuit seeks damages for "false arrest and malicious prosecution," and also accuses Habba of defamation.
Updated 6/3/25, 12:42 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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