Nuns protest alleged cruelty at New Jersey immigrant detention center

At the Delaney Hall Detention Centre in Newark, New Jersey, a stark contrast exists between the sweltering heat outside and the alleged harsh realities within. Approximately 800 immigrants, many separated from their U.S.-born children, are detained by ICE, the U.S. border control police.

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Well, at the detention centre there were lines of police people and probably ICE holding guns, preventing people from going any farther. So the presence of military like police people was off-putting and I can't imagine what it's like even for the families to see that.

Outside the facility, an inter-faith coalition, including nuns and activists, conducts daily vigils. They offer comfort, food, and toys to families visiting loved ones inside, creating a "radical hospitality tent" adorned with protest signs and flags. This group includes members from the Sisters of Charity of New York and the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace.

Sister Donna Dodge, president of the Sisters of Charity of New York, described her visit, noting the intimidating presence of armed police and ICE officers. "The presence of military-like police people was off-putting," she stated, questioning the impact on families. She also recounted witnessing pro-ICE protesters celebrating violence against individuals, expressing bewilderment at engaging with such "hate."

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These were pro-ICE people and big flags flying and on the flag were pictures of people who had been shot in the head in Minnesota and they were beeping their horns and celebrating the fact that people had been shot by ICE in Minnesota. I just found it not only scary, I mean they weren't after us or anything, but I just wondered how do you dialogue with people who have so much hate for the other?

Sister Susan Francois of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace highlighted specific instances of alleged cruelty, including an immigrant held in solitary confinement for five months because his crutches were deemed a weapon. She also mentioned a detainee with stage-four lung cancer who was denied the chance to return home to die. "I think the cruelty... is to break their spirits. There is no explanation for it. It is evil," Francois stated, calling for greater public awareness of the detainees' human stories.

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He was in solitary because he needed crutches to walk and that was considered a weapon and so they kept him in a room. Someone who had stage four lung cancer, terminal illness, wanted to go home and die. I think the cruelty, I don't know why other than the fact that it's to break their spirits. There is no explanation for it. It is evil.