Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who avoided federal charges after being arrested at an ICE detention center, condemned immigration enforcement, likening it to slave-catching practices. In a rally, he emphasized the historical struggles faced by black communities, stating that undocumented immigrants faced repercussions akin to returning to a plantation. While some of his fellow Democratic politicians protested against ICE's actions, Baraka's encounter resulted in his arrest but no charges. The acting US Attorney chose not to prosecute him, aiming for resolution and future collaboration on immigration issues.
Baraka's comments reflect a broader narrative among certain political figures who equate modern immigration enforcement with historical practices of slavery.
Despite facing potential legal consequences, Baraka's statements leveraged personal and collective historical grievances to contextualize current immigration issues.
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