Overview

• Baraka sued interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba and Homeland Security Investigations agent Ricky Patel for false arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation.
• Baraka alleges his May 9 arrest at the privately run Delaney Hall ICE center occurred during a congressional oversight tour, with trespass charges dropped just ten days later.
• The lawsuit cites Habba’s public statements on social media and in interviews accusing Baraka of trespassing as defamatory evidence of political motive.
• U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa previously rebuked Habba’s office for a ‘worrisome misstep’ after the hasty arrest and swift dismissal of charges.
• The action highlights tensions between local leaders and federal immigration authorities over oversight of private detention facilities, underscoring the political stakes of Baraka’s June 10 gubernatorial primary.