Protests Over Access Denial at Delaney Hall ICE Detention Facility

Protests outside Delaney Hall, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, escalated on Monday after Governor Mikie Sherrill was denied access to the complex. ICE agents in riot gear arrived that afternoon to remove protesters blocking the entrance and demanding information on detainee treatment. Some protesters threw objects, prompting agents to use pepper spray.

Attempts to Deescalate

Protesters intensified their actions by forming a human chain at the facility’s exit. Despite agents in riot gear pushing back, the crowd remained, continuing to throw objects. U.S. Senator Andy Kim attempted to deescalate the situation, encouraging protesters to step back from the agents. During the unrest, Kim entered the facility with a congressional delegation, expressing concerns over transparency, stating, “You see how much they are trying to hide what’s happening here.”

Conditions and Access

Family members of detainees have protested since Friday over alleged poor conditions and inadequate medical care. A new protest group joined on Monday. As the evening advanced, protesters blocked another entrance using concrete slabs and barricades, even climbing into dumpsters for materials.

Governor’s Stance

Governor Sherrill joined the protest earlier in a less confrontational environment, but she was not permitted entry. “My request for access to Delaney Hall was formally denied this morning,” she said, expressing concern over potential concealment from public viewing. Sherrill emphasized her opposition to private detention facilities and advocated for Delaney Hall’s closure, referencing plans for a detention site in Roxbury.

Outside, Sherrill conversed with family members, including Gabriela Soto, who alleged that her husband was forcibly taken despite promises of release. In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that an illegal alien charged with assault was being transferred, but agitators interfered.

DHS Response

The DHS spokesperson accused Governor Sherrill of a “political stunt” on Memorial Day, citing suspended visitation due to ongoing unrest. While Andy Kim was allowed entry for oversight purposes, DHS stated detainees receive proper meals, facilities, and medical care. Congressman Robert Menendez Jr. questioned ICE’s credibility, urging skepticism over their statements.

“There is nothing that ICE says that you should believe, and anything they say you should doubt immediately,” Menendez stated outside a facility in Elizabeth.

A statement affirmed detainees’ access to medical, dental, and mental health services, plus communication with families and lawyers.

Protest Timeline

• Friday: About 300 detainees begin a hunger strike over alleged inhumane conditions. Protesters gather in support.
• Saturday: Protests persist as Kim and Rep. Robert Menendez Jr. visit the facility.
• Sunday: Protester Gabriela Soto receives word of her husband’s impending release. Believing the transfer a retaliation tactic, protesters block the van attempting to leave. DHS states ICE removed 70 protesters, transferring Soto Hernandez to another facility.
• Monday: Early morning scuffles occur. As protests continue, multiple politicians, including Kim, Menendez, and Rep. Nellie Pou visit Delaney Hall.