Tensions escalate between protesters, ICE agents at Delaney Hall in Newark

Tuesday, May 26, 2026
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Protests continue outside Delaney Hall in Newark after there were violent clashes outside the federal immigration center where ICE is housing detained immigrants.

The federal agency brought in reinforcements a day after demonstrators clashed with agents wielding rubber bullets, pepper spray and batons.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill blasted ICE and called for accountability after she was turned away, but the head of DHS called it a political stunt.

For most of Tuesday, demonstrators have stood face to face up against a line of ICE agents.

No pepper spray or rubber bullets were deployed Tuesday, but batons have been at the ready and tensions have been simmering.



The chaos outside Delaney Hall on Monday involved pepper spray, rubber bullets and protesters creating a human chain to block vehicles from leaving the ICE detention center in Newark.

Heavily armored military vehicles were back on the perimeter Tuesday with federal agents removing makeshift barricades.

Protesters set them back up and stood in the path of transport vans in solidarity they say with hundreds of detainees staging a hunger strike since Friday -- alleging inhumane conditions.

"They're given rotten frozen food, or in the case of last week, they found live worms in their food, we're also hearing of people being denied toilet paper," said activist Catalina Adorno.

"Several have told me that they are being threatened with retaliation saying that if you continue with this protest we will transfer you, we will cut off visitation rights with family," said Sen. Andy Kim.



Kim was hit with pepper spray Monday as he says he was trying to de-escalate a confrontation moments after he concluded a congressional oversight visit inside Delaney Hall.

"My throat's burning. My eyes are burning. But again it's not about me," he said.

A DHS spokesperson says, "No individuals were directly struck by pepper ball projectiles... Rioters obstructed law enforcement from exiting the ICE facility."

Protesters say they are blocking vehicles from leaving so that loved ones outside can see if relatives are being transferred.

Sherrill was denied access on Monday and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin called her visit "nothing more than a political stunt."



The governor asked Tuesday what DHS is hiding.

"They wouldn't let me in there and that gives you some sense that there is some there there," Sherrill said.

DHS denies inhumane conditions.

Delaney Hall is a privately-run facility with 1,000 beds. There are about 300 detainees inside, and they have tablets to communicate with the outside.



----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More New Jersey news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.