The crisis in immigration detention centers is shaking the country again. This time, the focus is on Delaney Hall, a private facility in Newark, New Jersey. A hunger strike initiated by detainees resulted in strong protests and clashes with federal agents. The situation exposes serious allegations about living conditions within the facility.
The conflict erupted on Friday when approximately 300 detainees launched a peaceful protest. The inmates refused to eat and work to denounce poor food quality and overcrowding. However, tensions escalated rapidly over the weekend. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the facility to support the demand.
The authorities’ response was heavily criticized. Videos obtained by press outlets show ICE agents with covered faces. They used tear gas and batons against protesters. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied the accusations and characterized the complaints as a political maneuver.
Why Did the Detainees Start the Hunger Strike?
Attorneys representing several detainees describe a bleak picture. Selenia Destefani from Nova Law Group stated that conditions at Delaney Hall are brutal. According to her testimony, people sleep on the floor and cells are freezing without blankets. Showers have cold water and food is often spoiled.
One of her clients is Martin Alonso Soto Hernández, an undocumented immigrant arrested in January. According to his defenders, he was served food with worms. Soto Hernández participated in the hunger strike to demand dignified treatment. His case became the symbol of the protest that erupted at the gates of Delaney Hall.
Additionally, attorneys report that there are detainees with cancer and diabetes who are not receiving medical care. The DHS rejected these claims and asserted that inmates receive food evaluated by dietitians and 24-hour medical attention. However, images and testimonies collected by local politicians contradict that official account.
What Happened During the Clashes Outside the Center?
Sunday night, the situation spiraled out of control. Protesters blocked the facility’s entrances to prevent Soto Hernández’s transfer. According to the DHS, approximately 125 people formed a human chain and placed barricades in front of official vehicles. Sirens and screams dominated the atmosphere for hours.
ICE agents intervened to disperse the crowd. The use of tear gas grenades and pepper spray was reported. Democratic Senator Andy Kim, who was present at the scene, became trapped in a cloud of gas. Kim denounced that law enforcement attacked civilians in a disproportionate manner.
The DHS, for its part, argued that protesters prevented government vehicles from leaving. They asserted that they only used a “minimal amount of force” after several verbal warnings. Finally, they managed to remove the barricades and transferred Soto Hernández to another center in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
What Are Politicians Saying About the Facility’s Conditions?
The crisis at Delaney Hall caught the attention of several Democratic legislators. Representative Frank Pallone visited the facility and stated that detainees showed him moldy food. “The conditions are absolutely outrageous,” he asserted. For her part, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill demanded the permanent closure of these private facilities.
Crisis en Nueva Jersey: Qué pasa con la huelga de hambre en el ICE
Huelga de hambre en centro de ICE desata choques en Nueva Jersey; denuncian hacinamiento y...
Continúa la huelga de hambre en el centro de detención de Nueva Jersey
La protesta en el Centro de detención Delaney Hall expone denuncias por comida deficiente, demoras...
Senator Cory Booker also spoke out against the management of GEO Group, the company that operates the center. Booker recalled that the use of private prisons is an insult to human rights. Several legislators attempted to enter the facility to verify the complaints, but DHS denied them access citing “extreme caution.”
ICE’s refusal to allow independent inspections
