Newark Officials Pursue Legal Action Against Delaney Hall Amid Protests

Protests at Newark's Delaney Hall, a privately-run ICE detention center, have continued for two weeks as officials debate its future. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka held a press conference today advocating for the facility's closure and announced that the state of New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against GEO Group, the operator of the facility, seeking health inspection access. Last week, ICE and Homeland Security agents arrested numerous protesters, leading to state police taking over security. Baraka criticized the state police's handling of the situation and announced that Newark municipal police would assume control. The city has been in a legal battle to shut down Delaney Hall, alleging that GEO Group did not obtain the necessary permits to operate as a detention center. Detainees have been on hunger and labor strikes, demanding an end to coercive practices and their release from custody. The Department of Homeland Security has dismissed New Jersey's lawsuit as frivolous, claiming that recent inspections were conducted appropriately, although the state argues that the inspections were incomplete. Baraka emphasized the need for health and safety considerations in the ongoing dispute.