Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat, is speaking out against the arrest of his counterpart in New Jersey’s largest city for protesting the construction of a new federal immigration detention center.

According to witnesses cited by The Associated Press, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was handcuffed and placed in an unmarked car Friday after attempting to enter the facility with three members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation: Democratic Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

In a statement Friday, Scott described Baraka — a Democratic candidate in New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial election — as “my brother” and an “impeccable public servant” who has been unjustly targeted by President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on immigration.

“I’ve known my brother, Mayor Ras Baraka, to be an impeccable public servant who continually fights for his city and the values that we all hold dear,” Scott wrote. “His shocking arrest today outside of a private immigration detention facility in his city of Newark, NJ is a blatant attempt to intimidate those willing to stand up for their communities against the unjust and potentially illegal actions of the Trump Administration.”

Scott, who has criticized Trump’s immigration policies while publicly insisting Baltimore is “not a sanctuary city,” continued by stating Baraka was within his right to protest and called for his release.

“I stand with my fellow mayor in his fight to protect his community and I join the Governor of New Jersey, members of Congress, and other local leaders across the country in calling for his immediate release,” Scott wrote.

In a video of the arrest provided to the AP, a Homeland Security officer is heard telling Baraka he could not enter the facility because he is not a member of Congress. Baraka has argued that the 1,000-bed detention center should not be allowed to open in his city because of building permit issues.

Baraka was released around 8 p.m. Friday after spending several hours in custody.

Baraka’s city has also made headlines in recent weeks for ongoing flight delays and air traffic control blackouts at Newark Liberty International Airport. The issues prompted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to announce a multibillion-dollar overhaul of America’s air traffic control system, including six new centers and various technology upgrades in the coming years.

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