1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am deeply troubled by the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka while attempting to oversee conditions at the Delaney Hall immigrant detention center. As an elected official, Mayor Baraka has a responsibility to his constituents to ensure their rights and dignity are upheld, even for those in federal custody. Preventing him from entering the facility raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability. Baraka was accompanied by members of Congress who, by law, have clearance for unannounced visits to immigrant detention centers as part of their constitutional oversight duties. Arresting the mayor for trying to carry out this legally protected congressional delegation visit is an unacceptable overreach that undermines civil liberties. I urge you to demand Mayor Baraka's immediate release and allow full access and oversight of Delaney Hall by elected officials and watchdog groups. Immigrant detainees already face immense challenges - we must ensure their treatment meets the highest standards of human rights. Obstructing this lawful inspection does the opposite. I implore you to uphold democratic values of government accountability.