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As a labor and hunger strike involving approximately 300 detainees at Delaney Hall, the GEO Group-operated ICE detention center in Newark, entered its seventh day, South Asians for America (SAFA) announced that its leadership was on the ground over Memorial Day weekend documenting the situation and calling for accountability.
According to a statement from SAFA, the escalating crisis has prompted responses from U.S. Senator Andy Kim, members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, Governor Mikie Sherrill, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
The statement alleged that over Memorial Day weekend, federal agents used pepper spray against peaceful protesters, including Sen. Kim, while detainees inside the facility continued their refusal of food and work.
According to SAFA, tensions intensified over the holiday weekend when Martin, a Peruvian immigrant detained at Delaney Hall since February and identified as one of the hunger strike’s leaders, was transferred early Monday morning to the Elizabeth Detention Center. Advocates and elected officials cited in the statement described the move as retaliatory, arguing that he was removed to isolate him from fellow strikers and weaken the protest. The statement noted that his pregnant wife, who has been leading demonstrations outside the facility, learned of the transfer on Memorial Day morning.
U.S. Representative Rob Menendez reportedly staged an overnight protest in the Delaney Hall waiting room, remaining there for 16 hours without food or water before being granted access to the facility. He was later joined by Representatives LaMonica McIver, Nellie Pou, and Analilia Mejia for oversight visits, according to the statement.
Outside the facility, SAFA alleged that federal agents deployed pepper spray and pepper balls into a crowd of demonstrators. The organization said Sen. Kim, who attempted to de-escalate tensions between ICE agents and protesters, was struck in the hand by an object and inhaled pepper spray.
SAFA New Jersey State Director Parul Khemka and New Jersey State Youth Lead Janitha Veeramachaneni were present at the site throughout Memorial Day weekend. According to the statement, Khemka witnessed a mobile medical response nurse being thrown to the ground while attempting to protect a woman who was being dragged by federal agents. The statement also cited accounts from others at the scene, including Plainfield City Council candidate Meghana Anandarangam, who alleged that federal agents targeted peaceful demonstrators, including a Pakistani American veteran and medic providing humanitarian assistance.
Khemka and Veeramachaneni said they have been engaging South Asian and AANHPI communities through live updates from the site, documenting what they described as a troubling disregard for constitutional due process.
“It is a painful irony that the weekend when we honor those who gave their lives to protect this country and its Constitution is the same weekend we are watching such an abhorrent disregard for due process,” said Khemka. “The conditions inside Delaney Hall are no way to treat human beings. Many detainees have been held for months without their cases being processed. And now, as retaliation for the hunger strike, ICE is moving people to facilities in Texas and Los Angeles, hundreds and thousands of miles away from their families and attorneys.”
“As young people, we grew up being taught that America stands for freedom, justice, and human dignity. But what is currently happening at Delaney Hall questions whether those values are being upheld for everyone,” said Veeramachaneni. “No one should be locked away for months without due process or treated in inhumane conditions simply for seeking a better life. A democracy, our democracy, cannot call itself free if people are punished for speaking out, even through something as desperate as a hunger strike.”
The statement said New Jersey officials have responded to the situation in recent days. After being denied access to the facility, Governor Sherrill has met with families of detainees and is reportedly working on a formal response plan.
Mayor Baraka has remained active at the site and has formally requested intervention from the New Jersey Attorney General. He has also called on the state’s Department of Health to conduct immediate independent inspections of the facility, according to the statement. Congressional candidates Mussab Ali, Sue Altman, and Adam Hamawy have also visited the site in support of affected families.
Despite the reported transfers and escalating tensions, detainees have continued to press four key demands:
- Direct Oversight: An immediate in-person visit by Governor Sherrill to assess conditions inside the facility.
- Humanitarian Release: Immediate release of elderly detainees, pregnant individuals, and those with serious medical conditions.
- Judicial Review: A fair and substantive review of all pending immigration cases and habeas corpus filings.
- End to Coercion: An immediate end to alleged pressure tactics aimed at compelling detainees to sign deportation or voluntary departure documents.
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