Tensions erupt between protesters and ICE agents amid hunger strike at Delaney Hall
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Protesters remained at the gate Thursday morning, facing off with ICE agents outside Delaney Hall migrant detention center, where a hunger strike is underway.
The protesters have clashed with ICE agents over the last few days, including again on Wednesday night, and three people have been arrested.
Officers could be seen pushing the crowd back and one even using a baton to clear people from the area.
"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, who explained why she arrived to stand in support of detainees.
Late Wednesday morning, New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker were allowed inside and spoke to detainees who are complaining about inhumane conditions and inadequate medical care.
"Repercussions and retaliation have been launched against the people in the hunger strike. We were informed that 13 of them were moved out since the hunger strike began," Espaiilat said.
"The stories I've gotten, especially from women inmates, about the access to medical attention, seemed unsatisfactory, if not downright dangerous to their conditions," Booker said.
On Wednesday afternoon, New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler made his way inside.
"The food is very sparse. They get up and have breakfast at 4 in the morning, lunch at maybe 12, dinner at 4, and very small portions, so it's impossible, and very often, there are maggots in the food," Nadler said.
Tuesday night, demonstrators posted barriers outside the detention center, using their bodies to block federal vehicles that they believe could be transferring detainees.
Protesters were told to move back by federal officers as they were pepper sprayed.
In response to the protests, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the Trump administration is considering travel restrictions in sanctuary cities where local police don't cooperate with immigration enforcement.
"There was only a handful of individuals that were refusing to eat because they want their ethnic right food. They can go back to their country and get whatever food they want. The fact is, we're given the calories they want. This isn't Holiday Inn. We're giving them sanitation," Mullin said.
On Monday, Gov. Mikie Sherrill was turned away from entering Delaney Hall.
Sherrill called for accountability from ICE, but Mullin called it a political stunt.
Sen. Andy 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 ... Several (detainees) 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," Kim said.
DHS leadership denies inhumane conditions inside Delaney Hall.
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.
Protesters say they plan to remain planted on the lawns and sidewalks outside of Delaney Hall until all detainees are released.
Senator Booker said Democrats must regain control of the House and Senate in November to dismantle the immigration policies of the Trump administration.
"We hope that come November we have the power to do that and shine more of a light on how this president's immigration policies are violating our collective values as a nation," Booker said.
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