New Jersey Attorney General Jessica Davenport confirmed Monday that law enforcement arrested individuals who refused to comply with a newly imposed curfew at Delaney Hall, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center that has become the epicenter of ongoing protests.
The curfew, which runs nightly from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and covers a half-mile radius around the facility, was enacted after multiple nights of tense confrontations between demonstrators and police. Davenport stated that while most protesters heeded warnings to leave by the Sunday deadline, a group equipped with helmets, shields, and gas masks “deliberately refused to comply with repeated orders to leave the area and were arrested.”
Governor Mikie Sherrill backed the crackdown, noting that several of those taken into custody were out-of-state agitators. She also revealed that some protesters had thrown projectiles and attacked barriers erected by state troopers and Newark police on Friday. The governor and other officials are defending the establishment of these security perimeters, with the state stepping in to bolster security at the site.
The unrest stems from allegations of mistreatment of detainees inside Delaney Hall, including reports of spoiled food and denied access to healthcare—even for pregnant women. The conditions have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, including Senator Andy Kim, who was pepper-sprayed by ICE agents during a May protest at the facility. “We talked about how there are pregnant women who have not been able to get the medical [care],” Kim said at the time, vowing to follow up on the issue.
In a related development, Sherrill announced Sunday that the Department of Homeland Security had agreed to restore family visitation rights at Delaney Hall, a move that could ease tensions. The concession comes amid a broader debate over immigration enforcement, with pro-ICE demonstrators also gathering outside the facility to voice support for Trump-era deportation policies.
The road in front of Delaney Hall remained closed to the public as of Monday morning following Saturday night’s clashes. State police said the priority is re-establishing a peaceful protest zone, but safety remains paramount. Critics, including some lawmakers, have questioned the aggressive police response, while officials argue it is necessary to prevent further violence.
The situation at Delaney Hall continues to draw national attention, with activists and politicians from both sides weighing in. For more on the escalating protests and political fallout, read about lawmakers demanding answers on detainee conditions and the controversial remarks from a former Border Patrol chief.
