ICE agents conducted a raid in Newark, detaining several individuals, including U.S. citizens and a veteran, sparking local outrage.
Mayor Ras Baraka mentioned that they detained several people, including some U.S. citizens and even a military veteran. He was really upset about it, especially since the agents didn’t even show a warrant.
He called it a violation of the Fourth Amendment, saying Newark won’t just sit back while people are being scared like this. It’s worth noting that Newark is known as a “sanctuary city,” which adds another layer to the situation.
ICE later confirmed they were doing a targeted operation at a worksite in Newark. They said it’s normal to encounter U.S. citizens during these operations, but they didn’t share much else since it’s an ongoing investigation.
The owner of Ocean Seafood Depot, where the raid took place, said about a dozen agents showed up around 11 a.m. They were asking for employee documentation, but the owner noted they didn’t have a court order.
He shared that his manager tried to show his veteran’s card, but the agents didn’t accept it. It’s wild to think that after 26 years in business, he’s never seen anything like this. He mentioned that three people were taken into custody, and there’s even surveillance footage of it happening.
When asked if this would scare his other employees away, he said, “Yes, exactly.” It’s tough for any business to deal with that kind of fear.
Later that night, two Democratic senators from New Jersey expressed their concerns about the raid. They reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, saying that actions like this create fear in communities and that the immigration system needs real solutions, not fear tactics.
This whole situation is a reminder of the ongoing debates around immigration policies, especially since the Trump administration has pushed for stricter measures. It’s a lot to unpack, and it’s clear that this incident has stirred up quite a bit of conversation in Newark and beyond.
