Former Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino criticized the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) response to ongoing protests at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in New Jersey. Protests began last week as individuals gathered outside the facility, raising concerns about conditions inside, with some detainees reportedly engaging in a hunger strike.
The protests have escalated, leading to clashes between anti-ICE protesters and law enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reported that approximately 100 protesters clashed with police, resulting in assaults on law enforcement officers. Bovino suggested a more aggressive response, stating that basic riot control measures should have been implemented sooner.
Bovino, known for his hardline stance on immigration, expressed his concerns about the safety of law enforcement and detainees due to what he described as inaction from Secretary Mullin. He indicated plans to visit Newark to address the situation personally.
Mullin stated that local police had refused to assist DHS officers in managing the protests, and he confirmed that several arrests had been made for assaults on law enforcement. The situation has drawn attention from New Jersey Democrats, with Senator Andy Kim and Governor Mikie Sherrill both encountering issues related to the protests and the facility's access.
The DHS has not yet commented on Bovino's statements regarding the protests.