Protests and Claims of Hunger Strike Erupt at Delaney Hall ICE Facility

Immigration detainees at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey have engaged in a hunger strike starting mid-May, sparking protests outside the private facility over contentious detention conditions and immigration law enforcement. Advocates and relatives report the protest commenced with about 300 detainees abstaining from food or work, denouncing issues like poor food quality, delayed medical treatment, and prolonged stays without timely case resolutions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contests these reports, arguing no coordinated hunger strike exists.

According to Detention Watch Network, over 200 detainees persist with their hunger and labor strike within the facility. The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ), an advocacy group, revealed that the hunger strike began post a family rally outside Delaney Hall on May 22, 2026. During the rally, detainees voiced their grievances via phone and a bullhorn.

In an official statement on its website, NJAIJ reported approximately 300 detainees declared a coordinated strike opposing conditions such as ‘medical neglect and spoiled food’ and implored a full investigation into the center’s operations. Detainees insisted, ‘We are not striking to demand better treatment and conditions. We are doing this to demand freedom.’

Protests amplified with the initial large-scale demonstration on Sunday, May 24 following smaller congregations reported from May 23, as per local reporting like ABC7 New York. Activities peaked on Monday, May 25, when family members, activists, and immigrant-rights advocates convened outside the facility, attempting to obstruct vehicle movements to and from Delaney Hall.

Footage displayed several clashes, involving crowd-control measures during encounters between demonstrators and ICE agents. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, supporting the detainees, attended the site along with some Congress members. She remarked in a press release, ‘I oppose private detention facilities and advocate against mass detention expansion in New Jersey.’

Conversely, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis dismissed the claims as political, stating, ‘No hunger strike exists at Delaney Hall. There are no subprime conditions or abuses.’ During the protests on May 25, NJ Senator Andy Kim reported being pepper-sprayed amidst confrontations between protesters and federal agents.

DHS spokesperson informed Newsweek that pepper ball projectiles did not directly strike individuals during the May 25 clash. They portrayed the law enforcement response as addressing obstacles to officer movement. The department characterized protesters’ refusal to comply as obstruction, justifying officers’ use of ‘minimal necessary force’ to ensure safety and uphold federal property and officer protection.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin shared on social media that the demonstration persisted on May 26, resulting in two arrests for ‘assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal officers.’ By Wednesday, May 27, Congress members Jerrold Nadler, Dan Goldman, and Adriano Espaillat inspected Delaney Hall. Lawmakers described conditions referenced by detainees as ‘inhumane,’ highlighting issues like contaminated food and insufficient healthcare, though DHS rejects these claims.

Despite discord, DHS insists no hunger strike coordination exists, maintaining detainees receive adequate food and medical attention. The agency asserts protesters impeded federal operations and engaged in officer assault.

Delaney Hall, a 1,196-bed facility in Newark, opened on May 1, 2025. Currently, it holds around 908 daily detainees, based on data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University.