UMVA has learned that a fierce showdown erupted Tuesday at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, as protesters clashed with ICE agents while extending a weekend protest into the new day.
Video captured an ICE officer shoving a woman through a line of masked, armed guards, the tension rising as agents threatened pepper spray while demonstrators shouted, “You’re breaking families apart—why?”
The confrontation turned physical when a protester thrust a megaphone into an agent’s face, prompting the officer to snatch the device. More agents surged forward, and the two sides collided briefly before the chaos subsided.
At the heart of the protest lies a hunger strike by detainees demanding better conditions. Three hundred inmates signed an open letter alleging that those suffering from HIV, cancer and other serious illnesses were denied adequate medical care, that meals were insufficient, and that families were kept from contact.
Authorities countered, insisting that every detainee receives three meals daily, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap and toiletries, along with phone access to loved ones and lawyers.
They highlighted that certified dietitians evaluate meals and claimed ICE’s detention standards surpass those of many U.S. prisons housing citizens, offering comprehensive medical, dental and mental‑health services from the moment of custody.
The privately‑run GEO Group, operator of Delaney Hall, denied the accusations, emphasizing round‑the‑clock medical care, in‑person and virtual visitation, library access, translation services, dietician‑approved meals, religious accommodations and accredited health‑care standards.
Prominent New Jersey Democrats stormed the spotlight, with Senator Andy Kim gaining entry after a direct call to the Department of Homeland Security, while Governor Mikie Sherrill was denied access, fueling accusations of a cover‑up.
Sherrill blasted the denial on social media, vowing to keep fighting for answers and hold ICE accountable, while officials dismissed her visit as a political stunt timed with Memorial Day and suspended visitation.
Earlier, roughly 125 agitators had surrounded the facility, forming a human chain, brandishing anti‑ICE signs and flags, and erecting barricades that blocked all entrances and exits.
Other New Jersey lawmakers, including Representative Robert Menendez and Representative LaMonica McIver, joined the protests, underscoring the growing political firestorm surrounding the detention center.
