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Newark ICE Facility Protests Escalate, Triggering Lawsuits, Curfews, and Federal Policy Threats

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Protests at Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Center: A Week of Chaos and Legal Battles

Protests outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have continued for over a week, leading to a series of legal, security, and political developments.

The demonstrations, which began in late May 2025 in support of a detainee hunger strike, have involved clashes between protesters and law enforcement, resulted in injuries to a U.S. Senator, and prompted municipal curfews, state lawsuits, and a federal proposal to alter airport operations.

Background and Timeline

The protests stem from allegations by detainees of poor living conditions at Delaney Hall, a private facility operated by The GEO Group under a 15-year contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Detainees and advocates have reported substandard food, inadequate medical care, and a lack of air conditioning.

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have denied these allegations, stating that detainees receive three meals daily, comprehensive medical care, and other regulated services.

Key Dates

  • May 22, 2025: Detainees began a hunger and labor strike, demanding improved conditions, medical care, and progress on their immigration cases.
  • Late May: Daily protests began outside the facility, drawing both supporters of the detainees and counter-protesters supporting ICE.
  • Monday: U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) was pepper-sprayed by ICE personnel while attempting to de-escalate a confrontation between protesters and agents. Kim stated he experienced burning eyes and throat.
  • Tuesday: The state of New Jersey filed a lawsuit against GEO Group seeking court-ordered access for health inspectors. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated the department is "drawing up plans" to stop processing international flights in sanctuary cities. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced the city would expand its lawsuit against GEO Group.
  • Wednesday: The hunger strike continued. U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) visited the facility and reported poor conditions.
  • Friday: New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that state police would take over public safety operations outside the facility from ICE and establish a "peaceful protected zone" for demonstrators.
  • Saturday: Rightwing counter-protesters and anti-ICE protesters demonstrated, separated by state police barricades. State police used tear gas and pepper ball pellets.
  • Sunday: Mayor Baraka imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. within half a mile of the facility. Family visitation was partially restored for Units 1 and 3 but not for Unit 2, where most hunger-striking detainees are housed.

Lawsuits and Legal Actions

New Jersey vs. GEO Group

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport filed a lawsuit in Essex County Superior Court on Tuesday, alleging that GEO Group refused the state Department of Health meaningful access to inspect the facility for sanitary and health practices. The state asserts that GEO Group cited a need for ICE permission to allow broader inspections. The lawsuit seeks to compel access for state inspectors.

Newark vs. GEO Group

Mayor Ras Baraka stated that the city will expand its existing lawsuit against GEO Group to include allegations of health, human safety, and permit violations. Baraka argued that the facility, as a private entity, is subject to state and municipal laws. Newark had previously sued GEO Group in 2025 over failure to obtain state permits before reopening the facility. That case was moved to federal court and ordered to private mediation.

Responses to Lawsuits

  • DHS Spokesperson Lauren Bis: Called the state lawsuit "frivolous" and stated that Delaney Hall complies with all applicable laws.
  • GEO Group: Has not commented on the new actions but has previously described allegations of poor conditions as "baseless accusations" part of a "coordinated, politically motivated campaign."

Security and Enforcement Actions

Curfew and Restrictions

Mayor Baraka imposed an indefinite nightly curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. within a half-mile radius of the facility. Doremus Avenue, a road near the facility, was closed to pedestrians and vehicles unable to verify a need to be in the area. Baraka cited the escalation of tensions, the need for police intervention, and the arrest of multiple individuals found with weapons as reasons for the curfew. At least 50 people have been charged with curfew violations.

Law Enforcement Response

  • State police relieved ICE officers of public safety duties outside the facility on Friday.
  • State police have established checkpoints and attempted to set up a "protected speech zone."
  • Officers have used chemical sprays, batons, Tasers, and horses to disperse crowds. On various nights, protesters threw objects such as umbrellas and water bottles at officers.
  • DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that two individuals were arrested for assaulting and resisting federal officers. Federal charges were announced against a protester accused of kicking and biting an ICE officer.
  • Several journalists have reported being sprayed with chemical agents.

Protester Arrests

Multiple arrests have been reported. On one night, six protesters were arrested. Three people were arrested on Saturday night after a group allegedly attacked police and a barrier. On Thursday, nine individuals were arrested in connection with clashes between demonstrators and ICE officers.

Federal Policy Reactions

DHS Proposal to Halt Airport Processing

Secretary Mullin stated on Fox News that DHS is "drawing up plans" to reduce Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing at airports in "sanctuary" jurisdictions, potentially halting the processing of international travelers. Mullin argued that if jurisdictions refuse to enforce immigration laws, they should not benefit from federal immigration processing at their airports.

Reactions to the Proposal

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: Publicly opposed the plan, stating at a congressional hearing that "we shouldn't shut down air travel in a state that doesn't agree with our politics."
  • White House Official: Said "the President loves having a team that is constantly coming up with new ideas but ultimately any policy decisions will be up to him."
  • Two Trump administration officials: Stated the proposal is not being seriously considered and is seen as a personal idea of Mullin's.
  • Airlines for America: Warned of "devastating effects" on airlines, tourism, and cargo.
  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro: Stated the state "will respond" if the federal government acts in a "reckless, chaotic, cruel way."

Other Federal Actions

DHS Secretary Mullin thanked Governor Sherrill for cooperation after state police took over security. DHS stated that family visitation was suspended due to "violent riots" and was restored once a secure perimeter was established. Border czar Tom Homan made an unannounced visit to the facility and ate the same food as detainees.

Statements from Involved Parties

  • Senator Andy Kim: Called the incident "shameful" and called for Delaney Hall to be shut down.
  • DHS Spokesperson: Blamed "rioters" for obstructing law enforcement and stated officers used minimum necessary force.
  • DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin: Denied the hunger strike and substandard conditions, calling lawmakers' actions a "political stunt."
  • DHS Spokesperson Lauren Bis: Stated Delaney Hall complies with all laws and called the state lawsuit "frivolous."
  • GEO Group: States its facilities provide "high-quality, culturally responsive services in safe, secure, and humane environments."
  • Newark Mayor Ras Baraka: Stated the facility is subject to state and municipal laws and that the city will seek closure if inspections are not permitted.
  • New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport: Stated that GEO Group must follow the law like any other business in New Jersey.
  • Governor Mikie Sherrill: Called for designated protest zones, stated "national extremist groups" have escalated tensions, and called for the closure of Delaney Hall.
  • Governor Phil Murphy: Urged calm and called for advocacy for better conditions for detainees and the closure of Delaney Hall.
  • Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY): Conducted an oversight visit and said conditions of confinement "shock the conscience."
  • ACLU of New Jersey: Described the protests as "overwhelmingly peaceful demonstrations" and criticized the state police response as "unnecessary."
  • Amy Torres (New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice): Stated that conditions reported by detainees—including a miscarriage and untreated flu—prompted the strike.

Facility Data and Background

  • The facility is operated by GEO Group, which reported a company record of approximately 24,000 ICE detainees as of February 2025 across its 21 ICE facilities.
  • According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, as of April 2025, about 71 percent of those in ICE detention had no criminal conviction.
  • The facility has been a site of prior protests, including a 2024 incident where detainees pushed down a wall and four escaped.
  • Delaney Hall was previously used as an ICE detention center from 2011 to 2017.