Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced Tuesday that the city will file a lawsuit against GEO Group—the operator of Delaney Hall—seeking the immediate closure of the ICE detention facility on health and safety grounds. The state of New Jersey followed with a lawsuit of its own.
“If the GEO Group—with a $1 billion government contract—has nothing to hide and the conditions inside Delaney Hall are as safe and as sanitary as this private corporation and the Trump Administration claim, then there is no legitimate reason why my health inspectors are being kept from full access throughout the building,” said Governor Sherrill in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “The people of New Jersey deserve transparency and accountability, and I will continue using all the power of this office to advocate for the detainees and their families.”
The lawsuits filed by Sherrill and Baraka mark the latest in a week of increased tension at the Newark compound—one that has included tear gas, the assault of a U.S. senator, enforced curfew, an ongoing hunger strike, and a threat by DHS to halt international flights at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Inside the Facility
An estimated 300 detainees have been on hunger and labor strike inside Delaney Hall since May 22, demanding better conditions and their release.
The conditions they describe—corroborated by congressional visits—are bleak: spoiled food, poor medical care, overcrowding, and detainees being forced to work for approximately $1 per day while GEO Group’s CEO earns over $11 million annually. In late May, a detainee was transported to University Hospital with tuberculosis—a highly infectious disease that health inspectors were never able to assess due to GEO Group’s refusal to grant full access.
GEO Group, the Florida-based private company operating the facility, has denied most allegations—but issued a statement last week acknowledging at least one “physical altercation” inside that included “limited use of chemical agents.” DHS also denied full access to New Jersey state health inspectors who attempted to assess conditions at the facility.
Following a congressional visit, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described what he saw as “a depraved indifference to human life.” Congressional visitors were not permitted to meet with hunger strike leaders during their visit. ICE has also allegedly moved one of the strike’s leaders to a different detention center in violation of a court order, according to reports. Border czar Tom Homan, appointed by Donald Trump, has said ICE may resort to force-feeding if the strike continues.
Letters signed by nearly 300 detainees—50 of whom are women—have been smuggled to journalists and activists detailing the harsh conditions inside the facility.
Outside the Facility
This past weekend saw the most intense clashes yet between law enforcement and protesters.
State police deployed riot gear, tear gas, flashbangs, smoke bombs, and mounted horses against demonstrators Saturday night. Videos online show police advancing on crowds—reportedly without warning—trapping mutual aid workers near their tent as smoke moved in.
Governor Sherrill had deployed state police on Friday with the stated goal of removing ICE agents from direct confrontation with protesters. The move drew immediate criticism from demonstrators who said the state police presence escalated rather than reduced tensions. Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport attributed the violence to “masked individuals” moving aggressively toward officers.
By Monday, state police had handed primary command to the Newark Police Department. Tensions eased Monday night, marking the first calm night in over a week, according to ABC7. No arrests were made.
The Curfew and Restricted Zone
Mayor Baraka imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the half-mile radius zone around Delaney Hall, effective through at least the end of this week. Doremus Avenue—the industrial corridor at the heart of the area—has been closed to all pedestrian traffic and non-official vehicles around the clock, with state police checkpoints at Wilson and Roanoke Avenues, according to Gothamist.
Baraka cited weapons found on arrested individuals as justification for the curfew. Multiple arrests were made over the weekend. FBI and Homeland Security investigators were on the scene Sunday.
Visitation Resumes
Governor Sherrill announced Sunday that family visitation at Delaney Hall would resume, with police escorts provided. However, when advocates called the facility directly, staff told them visitation remained cancelled. New restrictions now require detainees to submit a pre-approved list of up to eight visitors—including full names, addresses, and dates of birth.
What Comes Next
Senator Andy Kim—who was pepper sprayed by ICE at Delaney Hall last week—has called for systemic reform not just at Delaney Hall, but across all ICE detention facilities nationwide, according to NewsNation. “These people deserve better, but they aren’t getting better because we have a fundamentally broken system,” he said. “A system that is built on corruption and profit, fueled by cruelty, a system that strips people of their humanity.”
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin is scheduled to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday regarding ICE’s budget, where he is expected to face intense scrutiny from Democrats on the Hill.
Following the first calm night since protests erupted last week, the situation at Newark’s Delaney Hall remains unresolved. The hunger strike persists.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
