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Officials clash with ICE at Newark detention center amid hunger strike, mayor arrested

Oct 5, 2026·Location: Newark, NJ

Officials clash with ICE at Newark detention center amid hunger strike, mayor arrested
Photo via Fox News

Delaney Hall, a for-profit ICE detention center in Newark, faced scrutiny after detainees began a hunger strike and reported spoiled food, lack of medical care, and inadequate gynecological services, including an 18-year-old high school student and a woman who said she miscarried without assistance. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was handcuffed and arrested on trespassing charges while visiting the facility with congressional representatives, repeating 'I'm not resisting' as agents restrained him; he was held for five hours before charges were dropped. Rep. LaMonica McIver, who stood between Baraka and ICE agents during the visit, was later charged with three felony counts of assaulting federal agents after the government claimed she had 'slammed' an agent; she is still fighting the case. Days later, on Memorial Day, Senator Andy Kim visited to mediate between protesters and detainees, standing with arms raised between armed ICE agents and the crowd before agents fired tear gas and pepper balls at him and demonstrators, leaving him needing aid for burning eyes and throat. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill was denied entry but heard from detainees' family members about conditions inside.

Timeline

Oct 5, 2026—Report details McIver facing three felony charges of assaulting federal agents, case ongoing
May 27, 2026—Senator Andy Kim visits facility to mediate; ICE agents fire tear gas and pepper balls at him and demonstrators
May 27, 2026—Governor Mikie Sherrill denied entry to facility, speaks with detainees' family members
May 25, 2026—Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver visit Delaney Hall; Baraka handcuffed and arrested on trespassing charges while McIver stands between him and agents
May 25, 2026—Charges against Baraka dropped after five-hour detention
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