New Jersey clergy confront ICE: Faith groups block access to private detention center in Newark

Two activists arrested, two clergy members dragged away on Monday

About 50 clergy members gathered outside the Delaney Hall ICE Detention Center in Newark on Monday afternoon, linking arms and singing as part of a peaceful protest aimed at drawing attention to what they say are unjust immigration detention practices under the Trump administration.

The interfaith protest, supported by Faith in New Jersey and the national network Faith in Action, blocked the facility’s main gate. Participants said their goal was to stop operations at the privately run facility. Protesters said they were willing to be arrested for the cause.

Delaney Hall reopened as an ICE facility this month. The site, operated by the GEO Group, has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and advocates who say it lacks proper local permits, a claim federal officials deny.

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Protesters on Monday said prayers for detainees and criticized ICE’s continued use of private detention facilities. The group sang hymns and chanted while standing in front of the main gate to the facility, blocking traffic in and out.

An ambulance arrived at the gate during the demonstration but was reportedly turned away by security. Protesters claimed the vehicle’s presence was intended to pressure the group to move.

Families were not allowed into the facility to visit their loved ones during the protest. Officials on the scene allegedly blamed the protesters. Some protesters said they saw it as ICE’s way to punish the detainees for the protesters’ actions.

One woman brought clothes for a friend who is being detained at the facility. She said he had not showered since Saturday because he only had the clothes on his back and had no other clothes to change into. She also brought a letter for the man from his son, but couldn’t deliver it Monday.

Two activists were arrested outside the facility, and two clergy members were dragged away but not arrested. The two clergy members who were dragged away but not arrested were the Rev. Robin Tanner of the Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit and the Rev. Sasha Ostrom of the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned Monday’s protest and questioned the goals of those participating.

“Who do they want released from Delaney Hall?” McLaughlin said in a statement. “The child rapists, murderers, drug traffickers, MS-13 gang members or known terrorists?”

The demonstration comes three days after Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested outside the same facility. Baraka was detained by federal agents Friday following a confrontation during a visit with Democratic members of Congress. Baraka has argued that the facility is operating without proper city permits. He was initially let through the gates and onto the grounds of the facility by a guard, photos by Jersey Vindicator photographer Andres Kudacki show. He then voluntarily left, but was arrested outside the gates minutes later for trespassing.

Delaney Hall is expected to house up to 1,000 immigrants and has become a focal point for the Trump administration’s efforts to expand deportation capacity across the country. The facility’s location near Newark Liberty International Airport positions it as a hub for expedited removal flights from the Northeast.

Faith leaders said Monday’s protest would not be the last and vowed to continue demonstrating against the use of private detention centers and immigration enforcement practices they say are inhumane.