Family Visitation Resumed at New Jersey ICE Facility
Family visitation at the immigration detention center in New Jersey is being restored to parts of the facility, confirmed by the state’s governor and US homeland security officials on Sunday morning. This development follows a week marked by intense demonstrations at the site, which were met with forceful policing tactics.
Families of detained immigrants faced conflicting information regarding which detainees would be permitted visitation following announcements from Governor Mikie Sherrill and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Additionally, local authorities imposed an indefinite overnight curfew starting at 9pm for a restricted area including Delaney Hall.
Background on Visitation Suspension and Hunger Strike
Visitation at Delaney Hall had been canceled after detainees initiated a hunger and labor strike inside the detention center, which led to protests outside in support of the striking detainees.
Facility staff confirmed to on Sunday that visitation resumed for units 1 and 3 at approximately noon and 2pm local time, respectively. Unit 1 houses women detainees, while Unit 2, which contains the majority of hunger-striking detainees, remained unclear regarding visitation access.
Requests for comment from Sherrill’s office and the private prison company GEO Group, which operates the facility, were not returned. State officials announced on Sunday afternoon that the road leading to Delaney Hall remains fully blocked by police except for families visiting detained relatives.
Curfew and Police Response to Protests
The governor’s announcement and ensuing confusion among families followed a night of violent clashes between local officials and protesters outside the facility. Newark’s mayor, Ras Baraka, responded by instituting a curfew for the area surrounding Delaney Hall.
The curfew is enforced nightly from 9pm to 6am "until further notice," according to Baraka’s office, which warned of arrest or legal action for those failing to disperse during curfew hours.
On Sunday morning, Sherrill and other state officials reported that three individuals were arrested on Saturday night following confrontations with police. State officials indicated the arrests occurred after protesters attacked police and a barrier.
Context of Protests and National Implications
The protests and clashes at Delaney Hall have become a focal point in the broader opposition to the aggressive anti-immigrant policies implemented nationwide during Donald Trump’s second presidency.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains immigrants in facilities across the US while their cases proceed through the courts. These detention centers have faced repeated criticism for harsh conditions.
Hakeem Jeffries, the top US House Democrat from nearby New York, conducted an oversight visit to Delaney Hall on Sunday and described the conditions as shocking.
"The conditions of confinement shock the conscience," Jeffries stated.
Details of the Hunger and Labor Strike
On 22 May, a group of detainees at Delaney Hall announced a hunger and labor strike demanding improved conditions, medical care, a meeting with Governor Sherrill, and progress on their immigration cases. Between 300 and 400 detainees have participated in the strike.
Protests commenced shortly after the strike began, with lawmakers attempting to visit the facility. The detention center drew further national attention when ICE officers pepper-sprayed US Senator Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, during a confrontation outside the facility on Monday.
ICE officers have employed pepper spray and stun guns during the demonstrations, as well as physically shoving and arresting protesters.
State Police Deployment and Escalation of Clashes
On Friday, Governor Sherrill and other top New Jersey officials announced that state police would replace ICE officers outside Delaney Hall. State police established roadblocks approximately half a mile on either side of the detention center.
That evening, clashes erupted as state police moved against protesters. Officers on horseback advanced through the crowd, while others in riot gear deployed teargas canisters, aggressively pushed demonstrators, and arrested six individuals.
Advocates present on Saturday criticized Governor Sherrill’s handling of the protests.
"The escalation that happened [on Friday] was ten times worse than what ICE was doing to everyone prior nights," said Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigrant Coalition. "If anything, the escalators were the state police."
Conflicting Statements on Visitation Restoration
Governor Sherrill’s statement on Saturday announcing the restoration of family visitation claimed that DHS had "met our demand." However, DHS disputed the governor’s characterization.
"To be clear: Visitation was only suspended because of violent riots," a DHS spokesperson said. "Now that we have a secure perimeter, visitation can resume."
