Newark Mayor Ras Baraka decried on Thursday an ICE operation that targeted a local business and ended up with multiple detentions. Baraka said that among the detainees were both undocumented and documented people, including a military veteran who "suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned."
The mayor called the raid an "egregious act" and said it is in "plain violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees 'the right of the people be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures....'"
"Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized. I will be holding a press conference in alliance with partners ready and willing to defend and protect civil and human rights. Details to come," Baraka added.
An ICE spokesperson told CBS News that agents had conducted a "targeted enforcement operation at a worksite" in the city. "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may encounter U.S. citizens while conducting field work and may request identification to establish an individual's identity as was the case," the statement added. It described the operation as part of an "active investigation and, "per ICE policy," we cannot discuss ongoing investigations."
The business in question was Ocean Seafood Depot. The raid took place in the morning after ICE agents entered the premises asking for employees' documentation. The owner told the outlet that agents didn't show a court order and that three people were taken into custody. He added that some workers would likely be deterred from coming into work in the immediate future.
New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, both Democrats, said they were "deeply concerned" about the event and that their offices had reached out to the Department of Homeland Security about it. "Actions like this one sow fear in all of our communities — and our broken immigration system requires solutions, not fear tactics," they added.
Cities and states are taking different approaches to Trump's initiatives. Several Democratic-led cities are seeking to impose additional measures to prevent law enforcement from cracking down. Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Denver, among them.
In contrast, state administrations like those of Texas and Florida are preparing to assist the federal government in its deportation operation.
For instance, officials in Texas announced on Jan. 15 that construction of a 1.5-mile segment of state-built border wall was completed in Starr County. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said the property includes easements for new segments. Meanwhile, a Texas Senate proposal seeks to use eminent domain to facilitate wall construction, though resistance from some landowners has led to fragmented sections across multiple counties.
There are also contrasting approach within states. The Huntington Beach City Council unanimously declared itself a "non-sanctuary city" for undocumented immigrants in a unanimous vote on Tuesday, signaling its alignment with Trump and defying Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The decision, enacted through Resolution No. 2025-01, prioritizes cooperation with federal immigration authorities, challenging California's sanctuary state law, known as SB 54, which restricts local and state resources from being used to assist federal immigration enforcement.
Originally published on Latin Times
