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New Jersey Gov. Mike Sherrill and Sen. Andy Kim, DN.J., met with families of detainees held at an immigration detention facility that critics say should be closed amid “unacceptable” conditions and an ongoing hunger strike.
Kim and Sherrill, both Democrats, have asked US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, where hundreds of illegal immigrants are being held.
“I’m returning to Delaney Hall with @GovSherrillNJ and other members of the NJ delegation to meet with families of inmates and listen to community advocates,” Kim wrote Monday on X. “We are working together to make sure they are heard and we speak to them. Delaney Hall must be closed immediately. ICE cannot be allowed to continue operating in this way.”
STRONGER WEATHER OVER NEWARK: HOUSE DEMOCRATS COULD FACE RESULTS OF DELANEY HALL INCIDENT
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, DN.J., were seen outside the Delaney Hall campus on Monday. Democrats have called for the detention center to be closed because of allegations of poor housing conditions for illegal immigrants. (Sen. Andy Kim ; X)
On Sunday, protesters clashed with authorities outside the private facility – which was converted into an immigration detention center last year – where some inmates have gone on strike to protest poor conditions inside.
Sherrill said she was “deeply disturbed” by the conditions at Delaney Hall, noting that she has always advocated for and against private detention facilities.
“I will continue to call for Delaney Hall to be closed because of reports like this,” he wrote on Sunday in X. “I contacted ICE to reach out to this agency and my office is continuing to work with our federal team and attorneys, and I commend their continued oversight and work to hold DHS accountable.”
Kim and Rep. Rob Menendez, DN.J., arrived at Delaney Hall on Sunday but were denied entry. Critics of the facility say inmates endure illegal conditions and mistreatment of staff.
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The Delaney Hall Facility is shown in this photo. (StateCourt.org)
“In short, Delaney Hall is a danger to those incarcerated, their loved ones, and all who care about immigrant rights, basic constitutional liberties and democracy,” the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey said in February. “Yet under these brutal conditions, community members and families have come together to strongly oppose the existence of Delaney Hall and the abuse of people there.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE for comment.
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Democrats have repeatedly called for Delaney Hall to be closed. In May 2025, protesters — including three congressional lawmakers and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka — gathered outside the facility and clashed with authorities. It is said that they rushed past security at the gates that were open for the ICE bus to enter.
US Attorney LaMonica McIver, DN.J., faces a three-count federal indictment for allegedly assaulting, resisting and obstructing federal law enforcement officers that day. It is suspected that he shoved and beat the police to prevent the arrest of Baraka.
At the time, then-Secretary of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, labeled some of the inmates inside Delaney Hall as “murderers, terrorists, child rapists and MS-13 gang members” while questioning why lawmakers continued to represent them.
