Tensions rise at Delaney Hall after strike organizer removed from detention center

Protesters blocked a van from leaving the facility Sunday evening.

A detainee who was one of the organizers of a hunger and labor strike inside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark was removed from the facility Sunday and placed into a van for transfer to another immigration detention center, prompting protesters outside to block the vehicle from leaving.

Activists identified the detainee as Martin Soto. Witnesses who have maintained a vigil outside the Doremus Avenue detention center said demonstrators surrounded the van after seeing Soto escorted out of the facility and thrown into the vehicle. As of 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the confrontation was still ongoing.

The attempted transfer comes two days after about 300 detainees at Delaney Hall began a hunger and labor strike. Family members and activists held a vigil outside the facility on Friday and a few detainees joined the group via cell phones to announce a hunger and work strike.

Detainees participating in the strike have called on Gov. Mikie Sherrill to visit the detention center amid mounting complaints about conditions inside the facility, as well as complaints about due process and the immigration court system.

On Saturday evening, U.S. Sen. Andy Kim and U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez toured Delaney Hall and criticized conditions there, citing filthy bathrooms, abusive guard behavior, and inadequate medical care.

On Sunday afternoon, Sherrill said in a written statement that she was deeply disturbed by reports about conditions inside Delaney Hall.

“Unsafe, inhumane, and unconstitutional living conditions are completely unacceptable,” Sherrill said. “I have long opposed private detention facilities and advocated against them. I will continue to call for the closure of Delaney Hall because of reports like these.”

Sherrill said she has contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seeking access to the facility.

“My office remains in close coordination with our federal delegation and with advocates, and I commend their continued oversight and work to hold DHS accountable,” she said. “I will continue working with our partners to closely monitor the situation and to do what’s necessary to ensure humane conditions.”

Kathy O’Leary of Pax Christi criticized the governor’s position on Sunday evening, saying it doesn’t go far enough.

“She’s not getting it yet. Andy Kim and (Rob) Menendez seem to be starting to understand that this is not about improving conditions. This is not about private prisons,” O’Leary said. “This is about ending ICE. It’s about ending ICE detention, and first and foremost, it’s about freeing people. She’s not reading the room, and she’s missing the moment.”