Protests and Disputes Surrounding Delaney Hall ICE Detention Center

Hunger Strike Sparking Protests

Hundreds of detainees at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have engaged in a hunger strike since mid-May. This action has led to protests outside the privately run facility, with demonstrators rallying against detention conditions and immigration enforcement practices.

According to advocates and families of detainees, the strike began with roughly 300 people refusing food and work assignments. They protest conditions such as poor food quality, delayed medical care, sanitation concerns, and prolonged detention without timely case resolution. However, the Department of Homeland Security has disputed these claims, stating there is no coordinated strike.

Advocacy Groups and Statements

Detention Watch Network reports that over 200 people persist with labor and hunger strikes within the facility. The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) noted that the strike began after families held a rally on May 22, 2026, with detainees communicating through phone and bullhorn. The NJAIJ’s statement mentioned poor conditions, medical neglect, lack of air conditioning, and issues with food quality, demanding a full investigation into the facility’s operations.

Detainees stated their strike aims not for better treatment but for freedom.

Protests Intensifying

The first large-scale demonstration outside Delaney Hall started on May 24. Smaller gatherings occurred on May 23, according to local reports. By May 25, protests intensified as family members, activists, and immigrant-rights groups gathered and attempted to block vehicle movements in and out of the facility.

Clashes outside the facility included crowd-control measures during confrontations between demonstrators and ICE agents.

Political Reactions and Statements

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, with several members of Congress, attempted to visit the facility on May 25. Sherrill expressed her opposition to private detention facilities and commitment to advocating for their closure.

“I have long opposed private detention facilities and will continue to advocate for the closure of Delaney Hall and against any expansion of mass detention facilities in New Jersey, like the proposed facility in Roxbury,” she said.

The Governor described her conversations with families and advocates as “heartbreaking.”

DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis characterized the protests as a political stunt, denying the existence of a hunger strike or subprime conditions.

Conflicts and Law Enforcement Measures

The DHS spokesperson reported obstruction from protesters outside Delaney Hall on May 25, asserting that law enforcement used necessary force to maintain order. Officers defended their actions as consistent with training, emphasizing the protection of speech and peaceful assembly rights under the First Amendment.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin shared updates on social media regarding arrests made on May 26 for assaulting federal officers.

Congressional Visits and Further Developments

On May 27, lawmakers, including Reps. Jerrold Nadler, Dan Goldman, and Adriano Espaillat, toured the facility. They described detainee reports of poor conditions, with allegations of contaminated food and medical care deficiencies.

The DHS dismissed these claims, asserting the facility meets required standards.

Facility Overview

The Delaney Hall detention facility, located in an industrial area near Newark, opened on May 1, 2025. The 1,196-bed facility currently houses 908 detainees daily, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.