New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill was denied entry on Monday to an ICE detention center amid protests and a hunger strike by detainees over alleged mistreatment.
Sherrill, a Democrat, sought access to Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark. The 1,000-bed, privately run site opened May 1, 2025, as part of the Trump administration’s broader push to expand detention capacity amid its crackdown on illegal aliens.
In a statement, Sherrill said: “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.”
Sherrill added: “I came today to hear from families and advocates, and what I heard from them was heartbreaking. I will continue to hold ICE accountable, and I remain grateful for the work of our federal delegation, including Senator Andy Kim and Representatives Robert Menendez, Nellie Pou, LaMonica McIver, and Analilia Mejia, who joined me today.”
Protesters have gathered outside the detention center since Friday. Organizers reported that Gabriela Soto arrived at Delaney Hall to launch a hunger and work strike led by detainees. Approximately 300 detainees initiated the strike to protest conditions, calling for the release of older detainees, younger detainees, and those with health concerns.
Sherrill stated: “The people inside Delaney Hall are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and members of our community. In New Jersey, we believe in the rule of law and that everyone deserves to be treated with basic dignity. We have a duty to safeguard the rights, health, and well-being of everyone within our borders.”
Christine Cuttita, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told NorthJersey.com that Sherrill’s visit was “nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day” when visitation is suspended due to what she described as riots outside the detention center.
Cuttita also reported that “agitators” surrounded the facility Sunday, blocking all entrances and exits. She emphasized: “All detainees are provided with three meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, and toiletries. Illegal aliens also have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers. Certified dietitians evaluate meals.”
Additionally, Cuttita noted that detainees receive “medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care.”
