New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Senator Andy Kim met with families of detainees at the Delaney Hall migrant detention facility in Newark on Memorial Day. They expressed concerns over the conditions at the facility, which critics have described as 'unacceptable.' Both officials have requested access to the facility from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Kim stated on social media that they are advocating for the closure of Delaney Hall, while Sherrill expressed her opposition to private detention facilities and called for accountability from ICE.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security criticized Sherrill's visit, labeling it a political stunt, and noted that protests outside the facility had led to a blockade. The facility has been under scrutiny due to reports of poor conditions and a hunger strike by some detainees. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has also condemned the facility, citing concerns for detainees' safety and rights.
ICE responded by stating that detainees receive basic necessities and medical care, asserting that their detention standards exceed those of many U.S. prisons. The ongoing debate over the facility has seen repeated calls from Democrats for its closure, with previous protests resulting in clashes with law enforcement.