Protests Erupt Outside New Jersey Immigration Detention Center
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – Tensions escalated outside a New Jersey detention center as protesters clashed with federal immigration officers. Advocates have been demonstrating for several days, voicing concerns over the poor living conditions and reports of detainees going on hunger strikes.
Allegations of Abuse and Inaccessibility
Families of detainees and their supporters reported that individuals held at Newark’s Delaney Hall faced pepper spray and physical assaults as conditions inside the facility deteriorated. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill stated that state health officials encountered significant barriers, claiming they were “denied complete access” to conduct health inspections, limiting their ability to assess the situation.
Advocacy Groups Respond to Inhumane Conditions
Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, emphasized that the unrest at Delaney Hall directly results from the inhumane conditions and a lack of adequate resources from the federal government, specifically citing the administration’s failure to meet basic human needs such as food and healthcare.
Private Contractor Acknowledges “Assault” at Facility
GEO Group, the private contractor operating Delaney Hall, confirmed on Thursday that an “assault” had occurred involving detainees, prompting staff to implement “response and control measures,” which included the limited use of chemical agents. However, the company refrained from disclosing specifics regarding the incident or the number of individuals involved, stating that all affected were quickly assessed by on-site medical personnel and did not suffer serious injuries.
Denials and Accusations from Facility Operators
The contractor categorically rejected the allegations of poor conditions, claiming they are part of a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by groups opposed to federal immigration enforcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement, did not respond immediately to inquiries but has previously dismissed claims of hunger strikes and mistreatment within detention centers.
Violent Clashes Between Protesters and ICE Officers
These confrontations unfolded after violent clashes erupted on Wednesday night, involving protesters and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Social media captured scenes of demonstrators utilizing gas masks and binding themselves in human chains, employing makeshift shields made from trash cans and old mattresses to confront immigration officers.
Arrests and Oversight Visits by Lawmakers
Protesters attempted to obstruct both entry and exit points to the facility, leading to tensions rising as items were thrown at ICE officers, who responded with pepper spray and batons in an attempt to disperse the crowd. The Department of Homeland Security reported that several protesters were arrested on suspicion of assaulting law enforcement officers. Earlier in the day, New York City Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Jerry Nadler, Daniel Goldman, and Adriano Espaillat, conducted an oversight visit, describing the facility’s conditions as dire, with detainees receiving inadequate portions of perishable food and experiencing neglect regarding their medical needs.
