Congress Members Report Dire Conditions at Newark Immigration Detention Center Amid Protests and Hunger Strike

Democratic members of Congress on Wednesday reported dire conditions at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, where protests have been ongoing for days and detainees are reportedly on a hunger strike. Representative Jerry Nadler of Manhattan stated that detainees are receiving small portions of food that "very often" contain maggots, and the only medication provided is Tylenol.

He cited a woman with a breast lump who had been waiting over a month for a mammogram, and another detainee with colon cancer who was not receiving treatment. "The bottom line is, if you are human, if you are American, you cannot support what is going on here," said Representative Dan Goldman, who also toured the facility.

"They're living in jail conditions, and none of these people are criminals." Representative Adriano Espaillat described the conditions as "inhumane" and vowed, "We will shut this center down." The lawmakers addressed protesters and family members outside the facility, where more than 50 people held signs reading "Stop Family Separation" and chanted "Free Them All." Some shouted at armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, calling them "cowards" and "idiots." The protests began Friday and have been tense. On Monday, Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey said he was pepper-sprayed while leading a delegation of Democratic officials who were denied entry to the facility.

"Instead of engaging with me and others about the poor conditions, ICE sent in an armored vehicle and a line of armed agents that only poured gasoline on the fire," Kim posted on social media. "Civilians were tackled and restrained, and agents fired pepper balls and spray into the crowd." Gabriela Soto said her husband, a detainee, participated in the hunger strike before being transferred.

"At first it was just 300. Then it became a little bit more.

Now, every single detainee inside there is participating. Every single one," she said, wearing a shirt that read "Abolish ICE." Amol Sinha, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey, said the organization has heard "horror stories" of detainees, including pregnant women, not receiving proper medical treatment.

"Cruelty is the point," he said. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, denied any hunger strike or poor conditions, calling the criticisms political posturing.

"The fact is, we're giving them the calories they want," said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "This isn't Holiday Inn." DHS also stated that two protesters were arrested for assaulting federal officers after being sprayed with an unknown chemical substance.

"These rioters have OBSTRUCTED law enforcement operations — a felony and a crime," the statement read. "Local police have refused to answer calls to help our law enforcement.

We will not allow violent rioters to slow ICE down. Law and order will be restored." President Donald Trump defended the center, saying, "We run the finest facilities anywhere in the world of their type." Delaney Hall, located along an industrial stretch of Newark Bay and operated by a private prison company, has been a frequent flashpoint for protests.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Representative LaMonica McIver were among those arrested during protests when the 1,000-bed facility opened last May.