Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Sues Over ICE Arrest, Claims Defamation and Political Targeting

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. Attorney Alina Habba and a Department of Homeland Security official, following his brief arrest last month outside a New Jersey immigration detention center. The lawsuit, submitted on Tuesday, alleges false arrest and defamation, just a week before the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Baraka, who is also a gubernatorial candidate, claims he was wrongfully charged with trespassing during an oversight visit with members of Congress. He maintains that the incident was politically driven and alleges that Habba authorized his arrest despite “clear evidence he had committed no crime.”

The suit also highlights a social media post by Habba on X (formerly Twitter), in which she stated that Baraka had “committed trespass.” The lawsuit argues that this statement was defamatory and contributed to public misinformation. Though the trespassing charges were eventually dropped, the case has intensified debates surrounding immigration enforcement and the role of federal and local authorities.

Baraka seeks damages through the lawsuit and says the arrest was part of a broader attempt to undermine his gubernatorial campaign.