Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Files Lawsuit Against U.S. Attorney Alina Habba Over May Arrest

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a federal lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba and Homeland Security Investigations agent Ricky Patel, alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation stemming from his May 9 arrest outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark.

Baraka, a Democrat and gubernatorial candidate, contends that his arrest was politically motivated and orchestrated to defame him publicly. He claims he was lawfully present at the facility after being invited by members of Congress and was wrongfully arrested by Homeland Security agents. The trespassing charges against him were later dropped.

The lawsuit also accuses Habba, a Republican appointed by former President Trump, of using the incident to promote her political agenda, citing her social media and television comments portraying him as lawless. Baraka is seeking unspecified damages and legal fees.

This legal action highlights ongoing tensions between Trump-appointed federal prosecutors and New Jersey’s Democratic officials, particularly over immigration enforcement policies. Habba’s office has also pursued immigration-related investigations and filed charges against a Democratic congresswoman related to the same event.

Habba has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Homeland Security responded by calling the lawsuit frivolous and politically motivated.

Baraka emphasized that his legal action is about accountability rather than revenge, stating, “Ultimately, I think this is about them taking accountability for what has happened to me.”

The lawsuit was filed as Baraka campaigns for New Jersey’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination, underscoring the political implications of the incident. 

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