UMVA has learned that a violent confrontation erupted Thursday night at Newark’s Delaney Hall detention center, where anti‑ICE demonstrators launched a relentless assault on federal agents.
Around one hundred rioters swarmed the perimeter, chanting slogans, brandishing black umbrellas and gas masks, and striking at officers with fists and feet. The crowd’s fury was met with a sudden spray of pepper, forcing many to shield their eyes and cough in shock.
Federal agents responded with force, pushing back the mob and deploying chemical spray to regain control. Amid the chaos, nine rioters were apprehended and taken into custody.
Local police were reportedly denied entry to the scene by state officials, leaving federal officers to face the onslaught alone. The absence of state support intensified the already volatile situation.
The clash followed a week‑long protest sparked by detainees alleging denied medical care, inadequate food, and lack of due process. The federal department denied these claims, citing comprehensive care provisions for all detainees.
High‑profile lawmakers, including the state’s governor and several members of Congress, appeared at the site, adding a political dimension to the unrest. Their presence did not quell the violence, which escalated into threats and intimidation directed at federal personnel.
Authorities are actively pursuing those who issued direct threats against ICE agents and their families, with the promise of swift legal action. Officials have vowed to bring all perpetrators to justice.
UMVA has uncovered details that the governor’s office openly blamed federal agents for the violence while publicly supporting the demonstrators, labeling them as peaceful. This contradictory stance has only deepened the tension surrounding the incident.
As the night closed, the detention center’s security remained on high alert, and the federal agency continues to investigate the events that unfolded at Delaney Hall.
