Following an ICE raid in Newark, New Jersey, where eight individuals were detained, local Democrats and immigration advocates have pledged to oppose President Trump's immigration agenda. Mayor Ras Baraka, along with members of Congress, state officials, and activists, held a press conference on Friday to denounce the operation. Mayor Baraka asserted that ICE agents acted without a warrant and apprehended workers, including a military veteran. He emphasized that those detained were not criminals. Baraka reaffirmed Newark's commitment to being a sanctuary city.

Mayor Baraka expressed concern over the potential erosion of constitutional rights, stating his opposition to ICE detentions in Newark. Officials and activists reported that the detainees included four mothers and four men. The mayor criticized ICE's actions, which included fingerprinting and photographing IDs, as violations of Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. An ICE spokesperson stated that a detained U.S. citizen was asked for identification, clarifying that it's standard procedure to confirm identity during field operations. They added that the Newark operation was an active investigation and could not be discussed further.

This week has seen increased ICE activity nationwide as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to curb illegal immigration. Trump's “border czar,” Tom Homan, has stated that while ICE will prioritize public safety threats, anyone in the country illegally is subject to action. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) condemned the ICE operation and criticized Trump's executive orders on immigration, particularly the one challenging birthright citizenship, as inhumane. She argued that such raids create fear and insecurity within communities.

Mayor Baraka and other officials have declared their intention to resist Trump's immigration policies, which the president has described as the most extensive mass deportations in U.S. history. Baraka remained defiant when asked about potential repercussions for non-cooperation, stating his resolve to oppose what he sees as unjust actions.