Overview
- Protests have surrounded Delaney Hall for more than a week after detainees and advocates said hundreds staged a hunger and labor strike to protest spoiled food, poor medical care and unsanitary conditions.
- Governor Mikie Sherrill ordered the New Jersey State Police to assume public safety outside the 1,000‑bed facility and to set up protected protest zones and vehicle checkpoints on Friday to lower tensions and prevent ICE expansion.
- Clashes between demonstrators and federal or state officers have continued despite the state takeover, with repeated uses of pepper spray and tear gas, mounted units, multiple arrests, and one federal assault charge filed against Brendan John Geier.
- DHS and the GEO Group have denied widespread mistreatment claims and say staff followed procedures while state health inspectors were allowed only limited access to inspect food service.
- The episode has sharpened calls from state politicians and advocates for independent inspections and possible closure of Delaney Hall and has raised a larger dispute over the role of private contractors in federal immigration enforcement.