Newark Mayor Ras Baraka slammed the raid by federal agents against undocumented migrants asserting that it violated constitutional rights and that, "Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized."
Immigration officials conducted the opertion at a Newark, New Jersey, workplace on Thursday, during which both foreign nationals and American citizens were detained, including a military veteran, according to Baraka.
This enforcement action follows President Donald Trump's recent announcement to remove millions of unauthorised immigrants from the United States.
After assuming office on Monday, Trump implemented several executive directives targeting illegal immigration, including measures to penalise officials who resist his extensive enforcement initiatives.
During the operation at a Newark establishment near New York City, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents reportedly proceeded without presenting a warrant while detaining both non-documented residents and citizens, according to Baraka's official statement.
"One of the detainees is a US military veteran who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned," Baraka said.
An ICE representative responded that agents "may encounter US citizens while conducting field work and may request identification to establish an individual's identity as was the case during a targeted enforcement operation at a worksite today in Newark." The agency confirmed it was investigating the matter.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced on X that the Trump administration had apprehended 538 individuals on Thursday, characterising all as "illegal immigrant criminals". She indicated these included Venezuelan prison gang members and individuals with sex crime convictions.
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