On Sunday evening, dozens of protesters blocked the entrances to Delaney Hall, an ICE detention facility in Newark, for several hours. This action followed reports that guards were attempting to transfer Martin Soto, a detainee involved in a hunger and work strike that began on Friday. Soto and other detainees are demanding the release of medically vulnerable individuals.
Gabriela Soto, Martin's wife, was present at the facility when she witnessed a man being taken away in a van, which she was told was her husband. She attempted to intervene, stating, "I was banging on the door of the van. I was not letting that happen."
Attorneys for Martin Soto had filed a habeas corpus petition in New Jersey, seeking his release, which could be complicated by a transfer to another facility. Protesters formed a blockade at the facility to prevent his removal, chanting, "Free Martin. Free them all."
On Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Soto had been moved to a facility in Elizabeth after protesters were cleared from the area. The spokesperson stated that ICE had successfully dispersed approximately 70 protesters and removed barricades obstructing operations.
Christopher Ferreira, a spokesperson for the GEO Group, which operates Delaney Hall, declined to comment on the protest specifics but emphasized the company's support for ICE's law enforcement mission.
Gabriela Soto reported that her husband had been confined in a cell for eight hours and questioned about her advocacy efforts. She noted that he was arrested by ICE several months ago while out for supplies for their child.
The hunger and work strike by detainees at Delaney Hall entered its third day on Sunday, with participants demanding the release of young, elderly, and medically vulnerable individuals. This strike follows letters signed by 300 detainees addressing poor conditions and lack of medical care at the facility, which is the largest detention center in the New York metro area.
Family members of detainees also joined the protests, including Erica, whose daughter was arrested by ICE during a visit to another detention facility. Erica expressed concern for her daughter's well-being, stating, "One month and three weeks locked up unjustly. My daughter is still in high school."
