Monmouth Republican Lawmakers Criticize Sherrill For Trying To Enter Delaney Hall On Memorial Day

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Two Monmouth County Republican lawmakers criticized Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), among others, for trying to enter Delaney Hall on Monday.

Delaney Hall is the immigrant detention holding center operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There are an estimated 300 people being housed there and they are currently on day five of a hunger strike inside the building's walls.

On Monday, Gov. Sherrill tried to enter Delaney Hall and ICE agents and Dept. of Homeland Security staff denied her access. Also Monday, Kim was pepper sprayed as he protested with people outside the building.

Gerry Scharfenberger and Victoria "Vicky" Flynn, the two Republicans who represent northern Monmouth County in the state Assembly, said Memorial Day should be about honoring members of the U.S. military, and American soldiers killed in service.

"While the rest of us were paying tribute to our fallen military heroes, Governor Sherrill and Senator Kim chose to create a cheap photo op at an ICE detention center," Scharfenberger said Monday. "Absolutely shameful."

"Political leaders should be working to calm tensions, not fuel them," he added.

“Memorial Day should be devoted to honoring the American heroes who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms,” Flynn said. “Instead, Governor Sherrill, Senator Kim and others chose to insert themselves into a highly charged political demonstration."

Patch asked the two Republicans if allegations of mistreatment and abuse inside ICE detention centers should be investigated.

Flynn responded:

"This facility has a storied past of being a problem," she said, comparing it to mistreatment and neglect during the COVID pandemic at state-run nursing homes. "Gerry and I have no problem with elected officials using commonly used avenues of communication to solve this problem ... We have an issue with our elected officials making this a priority on Memorial Day rather than any other day."

"I was really taken aback by the timing of this political posturing," she said. "I think they can find a more productive way to address the issues in this facility."

Scharfenberger said Sen. Kim had already been granted access inside Delaney Hall earlier last week.

"He already had access and was able to assess conditions," said Scharfenberger.

Sen. Kim did get inside Delaney Hall a day earlier, on Sunday, May 24, and he said he found the food "disgusting" and poor water quality, which Kim said he tasted himself. He also criticized ICE for lack of due process for immigrants.

Scharfenberger used to be the mayor of Middletown, where he lives today. Flynn got her start in politics when she was elected to the Holmdel school board (she lives in Holmdel); she was voted into the Assembly seat from there.

The immigrants' strike inside Delaney Hall began Friday, when detainees said they were facing “inhumane” conditions, including bad food, and they are not receiving proper and timely medical treatment.

ICE denies these claims, saying in this press release Monday: "These sanctuary politicians continue to peddle falsehoods about ICE facilities."

"The facts are all detainees are provided with three meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap and toiletries," said ICE. "Illegal aliens also have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers. Certified dietitians evaluate meals. In fact, ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens ... It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. For many illegal aliens, this is the best healthcare they have received their entire lives."

Gov. Sherrill was outside Delaney Hall Monday with many Democratic New Jersey Congress reps, including Congressman Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D-Newark) and newly elected Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge).

All were not allowed into Delaney Hall Monday.

"My request for access to Delaney Hall was formally denied this morning, raising serious questions about what they are trying to hide from public view," Sherrill said Monday.

Sherrill said she wants Delaney Hall shut down.

"I’m deeply disturbed by reports of the poor conditions at Delaney Hall," she said. "Unsafe, inhumane and unconstitutional living conditions are completely unacceptable. I have long opposed private detention facilities and advocated against them. I will continue to call for the closure of Delaney Hall because of reports like these ... I will continue to hold ICE accountable ... and continue working to demand answers, protect constitutional rights and ensure humane conditions."

"The people inside Delaney Hall are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and members of our community," Sherrill continued. "In New Jersey, we believe in the rule of law and that everyone deserves to be treated with basic dignity. We have a duty to safeguard the rights, health and well-being of everyone within our borders."

The latest at Delaney Hall as of Tuesday: ‘Gasoline On The Fire’: ICE Agents, Protesters Clash Again As Hunger Strike Hits Day 5