Newark Imposes Curfew as Family Visitation Resumes at Delaney Hall

Newark officials have imposed an overnight curfew around the Delaney Hall immigration detention center amid ongoing protests and clashes with law enforcement. The curfew, announced by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, restricts movement within half a mile of the facility from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice. The measure follows a week of heightened tensions sparked by a hunger and labor strike inside the center, where detainees demand improved conditions, medical care, and progress on their immigration cases.

Family visitation at Delaney Hall, which had been suspended due to the unrest, was partially restored on Sunday. Units 1 and 3 of the facility, including the women’s section, were granted visitation access beginning midday, though it remained unclear if Unit 2, housing most hunger strikers, would be included. The detention center is operated by the private company GEO Group under a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Governor Mikie Sherrill and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the visitation resumption but offered differing explanations. Sherrill stated that DHS had “met our demand” to restore visitation, while a DHS spokesperson clarified that visitation was suspended solely due to violent riots and resumed once a secure perimeter was established.

The protests outside Delaney Hall have been marked by confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. On Saturday night, three people were arrested after protesters allegedly attacked police and a barrier. Earlier in the week, state police replaced ICE officers at the site, leading to clashes involving teargas, pepper spray, and arrests. Six protesters were detained on Friday night after state police in riot gear moved against the crowd.

Advocates criticized the escalation of force by state police. Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigrant Coalition, described the state police response as “ten times worse” than previous ICE actions. Meanwhile, Newark’s mayor justified the curfew by citing the need to protect public safety amid arrests and reports of weapons possession among protesters.

The hunger strike inside Delaney Hall began on May 22, with between 300 and 400 detainees participating. They have reported expired food, inadequate medical care, and abuse. The strike has drawn national attention, including an incident where ICE officers pepper-sprayed U.S. Senator Andy Kim during a protest.

Lawmakers have visited the facility to conduct oversight. U.S. House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries described the conditions as shocking. Governor Sherrill has called for the establishment of protected protest zones to reduce clashes and has urged protesters to lower tensions to focus on detainees’ welfare. She also warned against allowing ICE to expand operations in New Jersey.

The situation at Delaney Hall reflects broader controversies over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has intensified deportation efforts. Critics note that many detainees have no criminal convictions, with data showing about 71 percent of ICE detainees lack criminal records. Protests continue as families and advocates seek improved treatment and transparency at the detention center.