Protests and Disputes Erupt Over Alleged Hunger Strike at New Jersey ICE Facility

Hundreds of immigration detainees at Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have reportedly engaged in a hunger strike since mid-May. This action has led to protests outside the privately operated facility, focusing on conditions and immigration enforcement.

Advocates and relatives stated that around 300 individuals initiated the strike, refusing food and work assignments to protest against what they describe as poor food quality, delayed medical care, sanitation issues, and prolonged detention without timely case resolution. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disagreed, denying any coordinated hunger strike.

According to Detention Watch Network, over 200 people remain on labor and hunger strike. The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) emphasized that the strike began after families held a rally on May 22, 2026, outside the facility, enabling detainees to engage via phone and a bullhorn.

In a statement, detainees inside the privately-run facility claimed they joined the strike due to “medical neglect, lack of air conditioning, and lack of food—including rotten and spoiled meals,” demanding a thorough investigation into the center’s operations.

They stated, “We are not striking to demand better treatment and conditions. We are doing this to demand freedom.”

The first large protest occurred on May 24, following smaller gatherings on May 23. Demonstrations intensified on May 25, with family members, activists, and immigrant-rights groups attempting to block facility access.

Footage showed clashes between demonstrators and ICE agents, with crowd-control measures used. On May 25, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and several Congress members attempted to visit the facility.

Governor Sherrill expressed her long-standing opposition to private detention facilities and stated, “I came today to hear from families and advocates, and what I heard from them was heartbreaking.”

DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis dismissed the claim of a hunger strike and poor conditions, labeling it a “political stunt by New Jersey sanctuary politicians for fundraising clicks.”

During the protests on May 25, Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey reported being pepper-sprayed while outside the detention center amid clashes between protesters and federal agents.

A DHS spokesperson told Newsweek that no individuals were directly hit by pepper ball projectiles during the May 25 confrontation. The spokesperson said the incident was a law enforcement response to protesters obstructing officers exiting the ICE facility and not complying with commands.

DHS defended their actions as consistent with training, stating, “The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly—not rioting.” The agency warned that obstructing law enforcement and assaulting officers are serious offenses.

On social media, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin noted the continuation of the demonstration on May 26, with two individuals arrested for alleged assault and obstruction.

On May 27, Congress members Jerrold Nadler, Dan Goldman, and Adriano Espaillat toured Delaney Hall. They reported detainees’ allegations of contaminated food and inadequate medical care, describing conditions as “inhumane.” DHS countered these claims, affirming the facility meets required standards.

DHS officials have maintained that no coordinated hunger strike exists, asserting detainees receive adequate food and medical care. They also stated that protesters have obstructed operations and assaulted officers.

The Delaney Hall detention facility, with a 1,196-bed capacity, opened on May 1, 2025. Located in an industrial area near Newark, it houses 908 detainees daily, as per federal data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University.