NJ Governor denied direct contact with detainees at Newark migrant center

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced she was finally granted access to the Delaney Hall migrant center in Newark, a facility at the heart of recent protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, Sherrill stated that her visit was heavily restricted, describing it as a "controlled, restricted, and carefully manicured tour." She expressed alarm that she was not permitted to meet or speak directly with the detainees, which she believes continues to raise serious questions about the actual conditions within the facility and how those held there are treated.

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After weeks of obstacles, I was finally allowed access to Delaney Hall, but what I received was a controlled, restricted, and carefully manicured tour. That is completely unacceptable.

Delaney Hall has become a focal point for protests over the past few weeks, following a hunger strike initiated by some of the approximately 300 detained immigrants. They allege inhumane conditions, claims that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denies. The situation escalated over the weekend with reports of violent clashes between protesters and federal agents near the center, resulting in at least five arrests, according to local police.

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Most alarming of all: I was not allowed to meet or speak directly with the detainees, which continues to raise serious questions about the true conditions of the facility and the treatment of those held there.

Sherrill vowed to continue "fighting for total transparency and accountability from ICE." This includes ensuring full access for the Department of Health to inspect the facility, a demand that arose after a lawsuit filed by the state's Attorney General. An ICE spokesperson told Gothamist that the governor's visit, which began around 8:00 AM local time, included tours of the library, medical unit, kitchen, cafeteria, visitation area, and male housing units 2A and 2B.

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I will continue to fight for total transparency and accountability from ICE, which includes ensuring full access for the Department of Health to inspect the facilities.

Beyond her visit, Sherrill has voiced opposition to the construction of new detention centers. She advocates for ICE agents to work without masks and calls for the dignified treatment of detainees. Ultimately, she supports the "definitive" closure of Delaney Hall. Mayor Ras Baraka also announced last Tuesday his intention to seek a court order for the facility's closure, accusing the private company managing it, Geo Group, of violating municipal and state laws since its inception.

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The governor's visit began around 8:00 AM local time and covered the library, medical unit, kitchen, cafeteria, visitation area, and male housing units 2A and 2B.