“What I witnessed and experienced today was shameful. Delaney Hall is a failure; it's this administration's failure. The only way to make this right for our communities is to shut it down and make sure the failures we've seen never happen again.
Back to stories
ICE Pepper-Sprays Senator at Delaney Hall as NJ Governor Denied Entry Amid Detainee Hunger Strike
May 23, 2026
Over Memorial Day weekend 2026, more than 300 detainees at Delaney Hall — a 1,000-bed private ICE detention facility in Newark, NJ operated by GEO Group — launched a hunger and labor strike protesting spoiled food, inadequate medical care, and lack of due process. New Jersey lawmakers attempted oversight visits and were blocked from entering; on May 26, Sen. Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed by ICE agents in riot gear as he tried to de-escalate clashes between protesters and officers outside the facility. Governor Mikie Sherrill was formally denied entry when she attempted to inspect the facility on May 25. Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Rob Menendez, Rep. LaMonica McIver, and Rep. Frank Pallone also visited and condemned conditions. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin flatly denied a hunger strike was occurring and accused the lawmakers of staging a "political stunt" for "fundraising clicks."
8
Statements Recorded
See what your representatives said?
8 Statements
“They are lying to you as they always do. They always lie. Everything that comes out their mouth… is pure lies. People are still not getting adequate food. They are not getting adequate medical care.
“This is nothing more than a political stunt by New Jersey sanctuary politicians for fundraising clicks. There is NO hunger strike at Delaney Hall. There are no subprime conditions.
“Immigrants at Delaney Hall are on a hunger strike because they are fighting for their human rights. The conditions there are deplorable. We're working with our partners in the state to bring an end to this nightmare and I'll be going to Delaney Hall again to conduct oversight.
“I saw chaos inside and outside of the ICE detention center Delaney Hall today. Detainees protesting the lack of due process, the disgusting food and poor treatment while their families and advocates stood outside calling for help. Instead of engaging with me and others about the poor conditions, ICE sent in an armored vehicle and a line of armed agents that only poured gasoline on the fire. Civilians were tackled and restrained, and agents fired pepper balls and spray into the crowd.
“Delaney Hall cannot continue to generate profit on the back of horrendous human suffering. I stand firmly in support of the brave detainees inside the facility and the protesters outside who are standing up for what's right. I will continue to call for accountability and carry out oversight of this facility.
“Last night I arrived at Delaney Hall to conduct an unannounced oversight visit after hearing a constituent was facing potential transfer or deportation for his role in the recent strike. I was denied entry, but I have remained on-site throughout the night.
“My request for access to Delaney Hall was formally denied this morning, raising serious questions about what they are trying to hide from public view. I have long opposed private detention facilities and will continue to advocate for the closure of Delaney Hall and against any expansion of mass detention facilities in New Jersey, like the proposed facility in Roxbury.