The federal trespassing charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been dismissed after his arrest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced Monday.
While the case against Baraka was dropped, Habba announced her office has charged Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, who was at the ICE facility when the mayor was taken into custody.
U.S. attorney drops charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
Baraka’s arrest happened on May 9 outside Delaney Hall, an ICE facility housing migrants in Newark, during a visit with members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation.
“After extensive consideration, we have agreed to dismiss Mayor Baraka’s misdemeanor charge of trespass for the sake of moving forward,” Habba said in a statement posted to social media Monday.
“I am glad that the U.S. Attorney has agreed that this case should be dismissed. I have had strong relationships with prior U.S. Attorneys, and I plan to speak with the current U.S. Attorney about issues on which we can cooperate. As to Delaney Hall, I will continue to advocate for the humane treatment of detainees, and I will continue to press the facility to ensure that it is compliant with City of Newark codes and regulations,” Baraka said in a statement.
Baraka, a Democrat currently running for governor of New Jersey, has criticized the ICE facility housing migrants in his city. He and others have argued it is dangerous and illegal, and that the private company that signed a contract with ICE blocked inspections and did not obtain permits. The Department of Homeland Security denies those claims.
“I have invited the mayor to tour Delaney Hall. The government has nothing to hide at this facility, and I will personally accompany the mayor so he can see that firsthand,” Habba’s statement continued. “The citizens of New Jersey deserve unified leadership so we can get to work to keep our state safe. The dismissal against the mayor is not the end of this matter.”
Baraka, appeared in court last week. At the time, prosecutors indicated they would take the case to trial.
Rep. LaMonica McIver says ICE protest charges are “purely political”
Habba, a longtime ally of President Trump, said her office charged McIver for “assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement” during the Delaney Hall incident.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a statement saying the decision to charge McIver came after “a thorough review of the video footage of Delaney Hall.”
McIver, also a Democrat, denied the charges as “purely political.”
“Earlier this month, I joined my colleagues to inspect the treatment of ICE detainees at Delaney Hall in my district. We were fulfilling our lawful oversight responsibilities, as members of Congress have done many times before, and our visit should have been peaceful and short,” the congresswoman said in a statement. “Instead, ICE agents created an unnecessary and unsafe confrontation when they chose to arrest Mayor Baraka. The charges against me are purely political they mischaracterize and distort my actions, and are meant to criminalize and deter legislative oversight. This administration will never stop me from working for the people in our district and standing up for what is right. I am thankful for the outpouring of support I have received and I look forward to the truth being laid out clearly in court.”
Baraka added in his statement, “Congresswoman McIver is a daughter of Newark, past Newark Council President, a former student of mine, and a dear friend. I want to be clear: I stand with LaMonica, and I fully expect her to be vindicated.”
Mr. Trump appointed Habba to be New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor in March.
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