Hunger Strike and Protests Escalate at New Jersey's Delaney Hall Detention Center

Approximately 300 detainees at Delaney Hall, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have initiated a hunger and labor strike to protest alleged inhumane conditions within the facility. The strike, which began on May 22, 2026, has drawn attention from family members, activists, and political figures.

Detainees report issues such as overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and spoiled food. In a statement released during a rally outside the facility, they declared, "We are not striking to demand better treatment and conditions. We are doing this to demand freedom."

Protests outside Delaney Hall have intensified, with demonstrators attempting to block vehicle traffic to prevent the transfer of detainees. On May 24, ICE agents reportedly used pepper spray and batons to disperse protesters who had formed a human chain around the facility's entrances.

Governor Mikie Sherrill visited the site on May 25 but was denied entry to the facility. She expressed concern over the situation, stating, "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."

The Department of Homeland Security has denied the existence of a hunger strike at Delaney Hall, asserting that all detainees receive adequate care. However, family members and advocates continue to report deteriorating conditions and alleged retaliatory actions against detainees participating in the strike.

Delaney Hall, operated by the private company GEO Group, has faced previous controversies, including reports of poor conditions and detainee deaths. The current hunger strike and associated protests have intensified calls for the facility's closure and for broader reforms in the treatment of detained immigrants.