Newark Mayor Ras Baraka compares ICE agents to slave catchers, says black people 'was undocumented too'

A new video obtained by the New York Post shows Newark Mayor Ras Baraka comparing ICE agents to slave catchers in the 1800s after the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1950. Speaking to a crowd at an April event in support of his lagging gubernatorial campaign, Baraka said black people were "undocumented too."

"People are talking about how difficult it is to live in New Jersey. Well, it’s been difficult for us for a long time," Baraka said. "You know, for a very long time. And oh, and the attack on immigrants, they want to know why we can relate to that, because we was undocumented too." New Jersey abolished slavery in 1804 through a practice of gradual emancipation. The New Jersey legislature issued a proclamation in 2008 to apologize for slavery.

"I don't want y'all to be confused," he said, pointing out at the laughing crowd, "black folks, we was undocumented, we come from a long line of undocumented people. And if they knew you didn’t have your papers, you going back to the plantation. They have people chasing, catching you. It wasn’t called ICE then."
 

Ras Baraka compares ICE to slaveholder during an April campaign stop. Video obtained by the New York Post. pic.twitter.com/4VlpItncK3

— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) May 21, 2025