Daijiworld Media Network – Newark

Newark, Jun 3: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a lawsuit against interim US Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba and a Homeland Security investigator, accusing them of defamation and violating his constitutional rights during his arrest at a federal immigration detention center last month.

Baraka, a Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor, was arrested on trespassing charges on May 9 while attempting to inspect an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Newark with members of Congress. The charges were later dropped.

The lawsuit alleges that Habba, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, and Ricky J Patel, a special agent in charge of Homeland Security investigations in Newark, violated Baraka’s Fourth Amendment rights against false arrest and malicious prosecution.

According to the complaint, a security guard initially allowed Baraka onto the detention center property to calm protesters, but Patel later demanded he leave. Minutes after he left, about 20 armed and masked DHS agents arrested Baraka “without probable cause,” using force to detain him.

Baraka also accuses Habba of issuing false and defamatory statements on social media, claiming he ignored multiple warnings to leave the facility. The mayor alleges that Habba acted with political motives, aiming to “turn New Jersey red” by targeting him, a Democrat.

Magistrate Judge André Espinosa criticized the US attorney’s office for its handling of the case, emphasizing the importance of impartial law enforcement and calling the arrest “a worrisome misstep.”

Baraka seeks financial damages for emotional distress, reputational harm, and the unlawful seizure resulting from the prosecution.

In related developments, the Justice Department charged Representative LaMonica McIver with assaulting law enforcement during the incident and sued Newark and other cities over sanctuary policies. Baraka dismissed those lawsuits as “absurd,” asserting that Newark supports public safety while refusing to act as an arm of federal immigration enforcement.

“We are upholding the Constitution, providing oversight, and following New Jersey state laws,” Baraka said in a statement. “Our policies do not hinder law enforcement; we simply protect our community’s rights.”

The Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department have not commented on the lawsuit.