Family Visitation Partly Restored at Delaney Hall ICE Facility After Week of Protests

A fragile breakthrough follows a hunger strike, fierce protests and escalating tensions in Newark’s immigration detention battle

After a week of escalating protests and a hunger and labor strike by detainees at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, authorities have partially restored family visitation. The decision follows intense public scrutiny, confrontations with law enforcement, and growing calls for transparency and humane treatment.

A Week of Unrest and Rising Tensions

Since May 22, roughly 300 detainees at Delaney Hall in Newark launched a hunger and labor strike, demanding better food, medical care, ventilation and expedited immigration proceedings . The strike rapidly sparked protests outside the facility from activists, family members and lawmakers, highlighting alleged inhumane conditions inside. Advocates reported spoiled food, overcrowding, inadequate healthcare and delayed processing; some detainees even claimed to have found live worms in their meals .

Escalation and Confrontation

Tensions boiled over as protests intensified: on May 24, demonstrators formed human chains and blocked entrance points, prompting ICE agents to use pepper spray, batons and chemical irritants to disperse crowds . Six protesters were arrested amid clashes that involved tear gas, mounted state police, and aggressive crowd control tactics . U.S. Senator Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed during an oversight visit, drawing national attention to the events unfolding at Delaney Hall .