A federal immigration raid at a seafood wholesaler in Newark’s Ironbound section has sparked outrage from city officials and residents. Mayor Ras J. Baraka condemned the ICE raid in Newark, alleging that the agents detained both undocumented workers and U.S. citizens without a warrant. Among those detained was a U.S. military veteran, whose service documentation was reportedly questioned.
“This egregious act violates the Fourth Amendment,” Baraka said in a statement. “Newark will not stand by idly while people are unlawfully terrorized.”
The raid occurred as ICE announced 538 arrests nationwide, part of operations targeting sanctuary cities under the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Tom Homan, the former ICE director, vowed to fulfill promises of mass deportations, focusing on areas that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Luis Janota, the owner of Ocean Seafood Depot, said ICE agents requested documentation for three workers and detained them when they could not produce the required papers. “We must be a country of law, but we should go after bad people, not working people,” Janota told ABC7.
The detentions drew sharp criticism. U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman called the actions “a disgrace,” in a statement. While the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice urged residents to attend “know your rights” workshops.
ICE defended the operation, stating that agents may encounter U.S. citizens while verifying identities during fieldwork. The agency did not provide additional details about the raid.
The raid coincided with the arrival of 1,500 U.S. troops at the southern border under the Trump administration’s anti-immigration strategy. While the troops support border agents, their deployment has heightened focus on immigration enforcement nationwide.
Mayor Baraka announced plans for a press conference with community partners to address the ICE raid in Newark and advocate for civil rights protections.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.