Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba and Homeland Security special agent Ricky Patel accusing them of violating his Fourth Amendment rights and orchestrating his false arrest. The lawsuit stems from an incident on May 9 when Baraka and members of Congress tried to enter an immigration detention center in Newark to inspect detainee conditions. A security guard let Baraka past the fence to calm nearby protesters but moments later DHS agents arrested him. 

The arrest took place even though he had exited the facility and complied with instructions to leave. The lawsuit claims about 20 armed and masked DHS agents forcefully detained him and members of Congress without cause. Habba later dropped the charges but had already shared a statement on social media accusing Baraka of trespassing and ignoring warnings.

Baraka Claims Arrest Was Politically Motivated and Unlawful

Baraka accuses Habba of making a politically driven decision to arrest him as part of her plan to shift New Jersey’s political landscape. The suit also references comments from Magistrate Judge André Espinosa who criticized the arrest saying it appeared hasty and politically charged. “Your role is not to secure convictions at all costs nor to satisfy public clamor nor to advance political agendas,” Espinosa said in court. Baraka is seeking damages for reputational harm emotional distress and a violation of his rights. He maintains his actions were legal and intended to ensure humane treatment of detainees not disrupt federal law enforcement.