NEWARK, N.J. — Protests outside the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, have escalated, featuring confrontations between groups with differing political ideologies. The demonstrations, which began over a week ago following allegations of mistreatment by detainees, have attracted both anti-ICE activists and supporters of ICE.
Detainees at the facility claimed in an open letter that they faced physical and psychological torture, as well as inadequate medical care and food. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded by denying these allegations and providing documentation of the meals served at the facility.
Following violent incidents earlier in the week, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill ordered state police to enhance security at the site. By Saturday, the area surrounding the detention center was fortified with barricades and fencing. State officials indicated that many of the individuals arrested during the protests were not local residents.
Approximately 200 anti-ICE demonstrators, many affiliated with far-left organizations, were present on Saturday, chanting slogans against ICE. In contrast, supporters of ICE, including members of the Proud Boys, also attended the protest, bringing supplies for law enforcement.
Governor Sherrill expressed concerns about the involvement of national extremist groups in the protests, urging demonstrators to comply with law enforcement and focus on the welfare of detainees and their families. She also called for the DHS to cease pressuring detainees into signing deportation documents.