An ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, has been grabbing the attention of the public in recent weeks due to a surge of Anti-ICE protests. This comes after months of allegations from New Jersey politicians concerning the alleged unsanitary conditions of the facility and the state of those who are housed within those walls.
While these protests started peacefully, they were tense. A recent clash with law enforcement at Delaney Hall has resulted in a heavy response from New Jersey Governor Mikkie Sherill. Unfortunately for Sherill, many supporters were quick to criticise her choice.
New Jersey has been, in recent months, among the many blue states actively combating and implementing measures that make it harder for ICE officers to operate in their respective states. This comes after the mass protests in Minnesota, which ignited following a number of deaths of protesting American citizens at the hands of ICE officers.
Prior to this latest event, Sherill surprised many of her voters, who were reluctant to vote for her in the November 2025 elections, with the implementation of a number of progressive policies. Sherill had seemingly begun to deliver on her promise to be tough against the Trump administration and to make New Jersey better equipped to handle ICE and other agencies that impact immigrant citizens.
For many, Sherill’s calling of the National Guard to support law enforcement and ICE officers against these protesters was a major betrayal. However, Sherill has maintained that the response is to keep the protests calm and secure for public safety, in addition to preventing a surge of ICE officers descending onto the detention facility. Regardless, many supporters online have stuck with their criticism.
So long as the allegations against the facility remain and nothing is changed to give the public full clarity on the goings on within Delaney Hall, these protests will continue.
