Protests Erupt at New Jersey Immigration Detention Center Amid Hunger Strike
Demonstrations escalated outside a New Jersey immigration detention facility as protesters alleged that U.S. immigration officials used pepper spray and batons during a demonstration supporting a hunger strike. The unrest took place on Monday as supporters gathered in front of Delaney Hall, where activists have maintained a presence since Friday.
The protesters raised concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to transfer Martin Soto, the strike’s originator. However, officials confirmed Soto had been successfully relocated to the Elizabeth Contract Detention Center.
The tensions heightened on Sunday when attendees learned that guards were preparing to remove Soto, who had initiated the hunger and labor strike on Friday, demanding the release of vulnerable detainees, including the elderly and medically fragile individuals.
Soto’s wife, Gabriela, actively organized the protest outside Delaney Hall. The 28-year-old witnessed the distressing scene as she waited for a visit Sunday, spotting her husband being forcibly placed into a vehicle, prompting outrage among supporters.
Eyewitness accounts described Gabriela’s reaction. Reports indicated she attempted to obstruct the transfer, expressing her determination to prevent her husband’s deportation. Demonstrators rallied around her, chanting demands for his immediate release and an end to the mistreatment of detainees.
Early Monday, ICE agents blocked access at Delaney Hall’s rear gate while attempting to navigate an ICE vehicle past protesters, according to Gothamist. Confrontations ensued, with demonstrators trying to impede the vehicle’s movement. The situation intensified when ICE reportedly used force to clear the area, leading to injuries among several protesters, including one who was pepper sprayed.
Legal representatives from Make the Road New Jersey have reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office regarding the incident. The U.S. Attorney’s Office indicated that Soto should not be transferred due to a federal judge’s order preventing his relocation while his habeas petition is pending in court. This legal aspect adds complexity to the ongoing protests and the conditions within Delaney Hall, where over 300 detainees have signed a letter demanding better living conditions.
Gabriela alleged that in retaliation for Martin’s activism, he was placed in solitary confinement for eight hours on Friday, expressing outrage over the alleged treatment. She recounted her husband’s distress during the questioning by guards regarding her organizing of the protest, including inquiries about the ongoing hunger strike.
The Department of Homeland Security defended the actions of its personnel, asserting they carried out the transfer despite the protests. They reported that roughly 125 protesters formed a human barricade at the facility, which impeded operations. The statement detailed how ICE eventually removed barriers, allowing the transfer of Soto and temporarily suspending visitations to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
In response to the ongoing situation, New Jersey politicians, including Sen. Andy Kim and Governor Mikie Sherrill, visited Delaney Hall Monday morning to engage with detainee families. Kim emphasized the importance of addressing community concerns and reiterated calls for the shutdown of Delaney Hall, highlighting the need for reform in ICE operations.
