Tom Homan, the White House border czar, indicated that the Trump administration may pursue legal action to force-feed detainees at a New Jersey detention center who have been on a hunger strike for five days. In an interview with Fox News, Homan stated, "Hunger strikes never work" and mentioned that if medical professionals determine that detainees are in extreme danger, they would seek a court order to force-feed them.
Democratic officials have protested outside the Delaney Hall detention facility, claiming that detainees are held in poor conditions, which has led to the hunger strike. They have criticized the quality of food, medical care, and legal proceedings available to the detainees, who are in the process of deportation.
Homan, who previously served as acting ICE director, defended the conditions at ICE facilities, asserting that they meet higher standards than those in federal prisons. He noted that nearly a billion dollars was spent on healthcare during his tenure.
According to government data, 29 detainees have died in ICE custody since the beginning of fiscal year 2026, surpassing the previous record of 28 deaths in fiscal year 2004. Homan claimed that deaths in ICE custody are a small fraction compared to state and federal facilities, attributing some issues to the health conditions of detainees upon arrival.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Lauren Bis denied the existence of a hunger strike at Delaney Hall, describing the claims as a political stunt. Representative Rob Menendez (D-NJ) expressed concern about the possibility of force-feeding detainees, emphasizing the need for better medical attention rather than punitive measures.