We argue for our mayor Ras Baraka's attorney, who is targeting protests arrests

U.S. lawyers said they would file a motion to dismiss the trespassing charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, after he was arrested after protesting at an immigration detention center in New Jersey.

During a hearing in the federal court in New Jersey on Thursday, the Baraka Defense Team said they believe he selectively prosecuted in President Donald Trump’s administration.

"We believe the mayor himself is targeting here," said Rahul Agarwal, one of Baraka's lawyers.

Agarwal added: “On Friday, the mayor was invited to the facility.

Baraka himself attended the hearing and then spoke to supporters outside. On social media, he made criminal complaints false.

"Today, the U.S. Attorney General's Office has chosen a trial for the trespass allegations of Delaney Hall. While the allegations are unfounded, we will fight it." "It's bigger than me. It's about all of us."

The incident is the latest in highlighting tensions between the Trump administration and local authorities that oppose immigration crackdowns.

Civil Liberties groups believe that the government is using its power to intimidate or coerce officials who do not match immigration priorities.

Complaints from the Trump administration focused on the May 9 incident, when lawmakers and protesters appeared in Delaney Hall, a new detention center in Newark, run by private company Geo Group.

Baraka, long opposed the 1,000-bed facility, saying it lacks proper permits, has appeared outside the gate several times since its opening on May 1.

On the day of his arrest, Baraka joined three members of the U.S. Congress - Lamonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, who were not subsequently declared “legitimate congressional oversight.”

Agarwal said Balaka was the only person arrested in the incident. Baraka insisted he was invited to join the facility and shared a video on social media on Wednesday, saying a guard opened the door and allowed him to enter the location.

"The mayor of Baraka is visiting the detention center at Delaney Hall with a congressional delegation," the ACLU said in a statement on Baraka's arrest last week.

“The mayor of Baraka – New Jersey and the country’s lawmakers – the Trump administration’s goal is to refuse to complicity with ongoing violations of due process.”

However, the government’s criminal lawsuit says that despite multiple warnings to leave, Baraka entered and remained in a private facility. He faces a prison of up to 30 days.

“We believe there is clear evidence that the mayor is inside the property,” U.S. attorney Stephen DeManovich told U.S. District Judge Andre Espinosa.

Video of the incident shows an official at the gate of Delaney Hall told Baraka that he had to go back outside because "you are not a member of Congress."

Judge Espinosa told Baraka on Thursday that he would need to be handled by the U.S. marshal service after the lawsuit was over.

The Associated Press said the request triggered a moment of chaos in the court. Baraka noted that he had been processed after his arrest, but eventually agreed to give him a fingerprint and take a second shot.

"They are trying to make me humiliate and belittle me as much as possible," Baraka said. "I feel like what we are doing is completely right. We are not breaking any laws. We stand up for the constitution of this country, the constitution of New Jersey."

Baraka is considered the leading candidate in the 2025 New Jersey Governor’s Competition.