U.S. immigration officials conducted raids at businesses in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday, detaining both undocumented individuals and citizens, including a veteran of the U.S. military, as stated by the city’s mayor.
The operation in New Jersey’s largest city, which Mayor Ras Baraka previously praised for its “sanctuary” measures to protect immigrants, comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s vow to deport millions of individuals living in the U.S. without legal status.
After he took office on Monday, Trump issued multiple executive orders aimed at tightening restrictions on illegal immigration. He has initiated actions to penalize officials who oppose the implementation of his extensive enforcement strategies.
During the raid at a business in Newark, located near New York City, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents did not provide a warrant while arresting “undocumented individuals and citizens,” according to Baraka’s statement.
“One of those detained is a U.S. military veteran who faced the humiliation of having his military credentials questioned,” Baraka remarked.
Baraka asserted that this action infringes upon citizens’ rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. “Newark will not remain passive while individuals are being unlawfully intimidated,” he stated.
Baraka did not disclose the name of the business that was raided. There was no immediate response from the White House or ICE regarding the raid.
He is among the initial local leaders in the U.S. to mention a particular raid following the commencement of Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives.
In 2017, he signed an executive order that solidified Newark’s status as a sanctuary city and has consistently opposed Trump’s immigration policies during the president’s first term.
Of the roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants or those with temporary status in the U.S. in 2022, about 44% resided in jurisdictions with “sanctuary” laws that restrict collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
U.S. news outlets reported that federal law enforcement and ICE agents apprehended nearly 500 undocumented migrants with outstanding warrants in sanctuary cities, including those in New York and New Jersey. These reports cited ICE officials, indicating that the arrests took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
