Newark Mayor Sues Alina Habba Over ‘False Arrest’ at Immigration Protest/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a federal lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, accusing her of false arrest and malicious prosecution. The charges stem from a May protest outside a federal immigration center where Baraka was briefly detained. Baraka’s legal team claims the arrest was politically driven and aims to damage his gubernatorial campaign.
Baraka vs. Habba: Quick Looks
- Lawsuit Filed: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka sues interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for false arrest, defamation, and malicious prosecution.
- Detention Center Protest: Baraka was arrested on May 9 during a demonstration near Delaney Hall, a federal immigration facility.
- Charges Dropped: The trespassing charges were later dismissed, with prosecutors citing a desire to “move forward.”
- Political Motivation Alleged: Baraka’s attorneys argue the arrest was a targeted political maneuver during his gubernatorial campaign.
- Social Media Evidence: The lawsuit includes Habba’s social media posts that Baraka’s team claims were defamatory.
- Federal Officials Named: DHS agent Ricky Patel also named as a defendant in the civil suit.
Deep Look
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Files Lawsuit Over Arrest at Immigration Protest
NEWARK, N.J. — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a rising star in progressive politics and a current candidate in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, has filed a civil lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, accusing her of false arrest, defamation, and malicious prosecution related to his May 9 arrest outside a federal immigration detention facility.
The legal action, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, stems from a protest Baraka attended outside Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed immigration detention center near Newark Liberty International Airport. The demonstration focused on federal deportation policies, and Baraka was one of several participants.
He was detained and briefly charged with criminal trespassing—a charge dropped shortly after the incident.
A Political Play or Law Enforcement?
Baraka’s lawsuit alleges that the arrest was not a matter of public safety, but rather a calculated political act designed to damage his campaign and public standing.
“They came outside the gate and arrested me after I agreed to leave,” Baraka told MSNBC. “It looked like it was targeted.”
His attorneys argue that Habba authorized the arrest despite clear evidence that Baraka had committed no crime. In fact, they say, he was already complying with officers’ orders when taken into custody.
Social Media Firestorm
The lawsuit includes screenshots of social media posts from Habba, which Baraka claims were defamatory and politicized the case. In the posts, Habba accused the mayor of ignoring lawful orders and harboring hostility toward federal law enforcement.
Baraka’s legal team states that Habba acted “outside of any function intimately related to the judicial process.”
This, they claim, removes her shield of prosecutorial immunity and exposes her to personal liability.
Gubernatorial Implications
The arrest and lawsuit have added fuel to Baraka’s Democratic primary campaign, with many of his supporters suggesting that the timing and circumstances of the arrest were suspicious.
The June 10 primary looms large, and the legal controversy has become a flashpoint in debates around immigration policy, civil liberties, and political retaliation.
Federal Response and Escalating Tensions
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed last month that charges were dropped to “move forward”, though Habba publicly defended the decision to detain Baraka, claiming that he “ignored multiple warnings.”
In a March 28 ceremony, Habba was sworn in by President Donald Trump, and has since taken a high-profile stance on aggressive immigration enforcement.
Also named in the suit is Ricky Patel, head of DHS Investigations in Newark, whom Baraka accuses of enabling a baseless and politically charged arrest.
What’s Next
Baraka’s legal team, led by prominent D.C. attorney Abbe Lowell, says the suit may be just the beginning. They are prepared to pursue additional legal options if government watchdogs or federal courts fail to act.
“It’s about standing up to political weaponization,” Baraka said Tuesday. “We’re not just going to sit back and let public office be used to target critics.”
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