Protests at Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Facility Continue for Multiple Days

The facility, operated by The GEO Group under contract with ICE, has been the site of a reported hunger and labor strike by detainees since late May 2025.

Protests outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, have continued for multiple days, involving clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, legal actions by state and local officials, and policy statements from federal authorities.

Background and Detainee Conditions

Delaney Hall, a private facility located in an industrial area of Newark, reopened as an immigration detention center in 2024 under a 15-year contract between GEO Group and ICE. The facility had previously operated as an ICE detention center from 2011 to 2017.

Detainees and advocacy groups have reported poor living conditions, including inadequate medical care, spoiled or moldy food, overcrowding, and psychological abuse. A hunger and labor strike began in late May 2025, with detainees demanding improved conditions, medical care, progress on their immigration cases, and a meeting with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Federal officials, including Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and border czar Tom Homan, have denied the existence of a hunger strike and stated that detainees receive three meals daily, clean water, and comprehensive medical care. GEO Group has stated that its facilities provide "high-quality, culturally responsive services in safe, secure, and humane environments" and described the allegations as a "politically motivated campaign."

According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, as of April 2025, approximately 71 percent of those in ICE detention had no criminal conviction.

Protests and Law Enforcement Response

Daily protests outside the facility began in late May 2025. Demonstrations have involved both opponents of the facility's conditions and supporters of ICE, with state police barricades separating the groups.

Reports indicate that protesters have used traffic cones, trash cans, water bottles, and umbrellas to block vehicles and throw at officers. Law enforcement has used pepper spray, pepper ball projectiles, tear gas, batons, and Tasers against demonstrators. Police on horseback have been used to disperse crowds. Over 80 individuals have been arrested since the protests began.

On Monday, June 2, 2025, U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) was pepper-sprayed by ICE personnel while attempting to de-escalate a standoff between protesters and agents. Kim reported experiencing burning eyes and throat. DHS blamed "rioters" for obstructing law enforcement and stated that officers used minimum necessary force.

On Tuesday evening, June 3, 2025, federal officers used chemical sprays and charged demonstrators after a protester threw an umbrella at an ICE officer. Two individuals were arrested for assaulting and resisting federal officers, according to Secretary Mullin. At least seven journalists were reportedly sprayed during the incident.

The city of Newark imposed a nightly curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. indefinitely within half a mile of the facility. Doremus Avenue, a nearby road, was closed to non-essential traffic.

State and Federal Actions

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that state police would take over public safety operations outside the facility from ICE and establish a "peaceful protected protest zone" for demonstrators. Sherrill stated that state police were deployed to "lower the temperature" and attributed some violence to "people coming from out of state to create chaos."

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport filed a lawsuit against GEO Group in Essex County Superior Court, alleging the company refused to allow state health inspectors meaningful access to the facility. The state health department was permitted to examine only food service areas during a visit on Friday, May 30, 2025; a subsequent attempt on Monday, June 2, 2025, was denied.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced the city would expand its existing lawsuit against GEO Group to include health and human safety violations. The city had previously sued GEO Group in 2024 over failure to obtain proper permits before reopening the facility.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated on Fox News that his department is "drawing up plans" to stop processing international flights in cities with sanctuary policies, as a reaction to the protests. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy publicly opposed the proposal, stating that "air travel should not be shut down in states that disagree with administration politics." Two Trump administration officials said the proposal is not being seriously considered and is seen as a personal idea of Mullin's rather than a White House initiative.

Visitation and Facility Access

Family visitation at the facility was suspended due to protests but partially restored on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Units 1 (women's section) and 3 resumed visitation, while Unit 2, where most hunger-striking detainees are reportedly housed, did not have visitation restored.

Governor Sherrill was denied entry to the facility during the protests. Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) visited the facility and reported poor conditions, including inadequate food, medical services, overcrowding, and denial of fundamental rights.

Statements from Officials

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin: "If radical left Democrats aren't allowing federal authorities to enforce immigration laws in their communities, then we shouldn't be processing international flights into their cities either."
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (congressional hearing): "We shouldn't shut down air travel in a state that doesn't agree with our politics."
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka: "This is not a federal facility, these are not federal grounds; it's a private facility, private workers, and they are subject to state and municipal laws."
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport: "The reports of unsanitary and unsafe conditions inside Delaney Hall are extremely concerning, and GEO Group — like any other business and facility in New Jersey — must follow the law."
Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda: "No one has the right to come into our city, destroy personal property, or incite violence."
DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis: Called the state lawsuit "frivolous" and stated that Delaney Hall complies with all laws.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche: Announced federal charges against a protester accused of kicking and biting an ICE officer.