The Democratic mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, is facing backlash following the city’s decision to file a legal complaint against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This complaint arises from ICE's recent actions in reopening Delaney Hall, a facility intended for processing individuals illegally in the country, without adhering to essential building safety protocols. Mayor Baraka stated that the misuse of Delaney Hall contravenes both state and local laws, prompting the city to initiate a lawsuit in Essex County Superior Court at the end of March.

According to Mayor Baraka's remarks, the city learned that construction was occurring at the Delaney Hall site without the requisite permits, which led to a stop work order issued by the Department of Engineering. The mayor highlighted that ICE failed to secure necessary construction permits or properly change the building’s use, asserting the center cannot lawfully operate under these conditions. Delaney Hall has a capacity of nearly 1,200 beds.

The GEO Group, which manages Delaney Hall, has described the city’s actions as politically charged, warning that such moves could jeopardize employment and community safety. A spokesperson for the GEO Group criticized the local and state officials' attempts to halt what they termed a lawful operation of a federal immigration processing center, expressing that the objections are rooted in misguided claims and political maneuvering.

In a related context, Mayor Baraka has previously condemned an ICE raid in Newark that resulted in the detention of eight individuals, emphasizing a concern for constitutional rights and asserting that those arrested were not dangerous criminals. The ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement in New Jersey have further strained relations between local Democrats and Republicans, with accusations that liberal policies hinder effective law enforcement and undermine community safety.