Pallone, Mejia conduct unannounced oversight visit to Delaney Hall
Democratic lawmakers say they will continue inspections of the immigration detention center as concerns over conditions persist.
U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. and Analilia Mejia conducted an unannounced oversight visit on Tuesday to Delaney Hall, the Newark immigration detention center that has been the focus of protests and allegations of poor living conditions in recent weeks.
According to a statement from New Jersey’s Democratic congressional delegation, Pallone and Mejia met with detainees and facility management and pressed for expanded medical care, access to prescription medications, stronger due process protections, and the release of vulnerable detainees.
The visit comes after federal officials restored family visitation at the facility and released several pregnant detainees, moves that Democratic lawmakers attributed to sustained pressure from protesters, members of Congress, and Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
In a joint statement, Pallone, Mejia, and other members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation said they plan to continue conducting announced and unannounced inspections of the facility as part of their congressional oversight responsibilities.
The lawmakers also reiterated calls for Delaney Hall to be closed, accusing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security of abuses at the facility.
Delaney Hall, operated by private prison company GEO Group under contract with ICE, has drawn growing scrutiny following a detainee hunger strike and more than a week of demonstrations outside the facility.
Krystal Knapp is the founder, executive director, and publisher of The Jersey Vindicator and the founder of Planet Princeton. She has more than two decades of experience reporting in New Jersey, including 10 years at The Trenton Times, where she was the newsroom’s public records and computer-assisted reporting expert. Her work has been recognized by the New Jersey Press Association and the Center for Cooperative Media. You can reach her at Krystal AT jerseyvindicator.org.