Activists Protest Outside New ICE Detention Center In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Opposition to the state’s newest federal immigrant detention center continues to grow in Newark.

On Tuesday, local immigration advocates and city officials found themselves standing together outside Delaney Hall, demanding to be heard by federal officials and the GEO Group, one of the world’s largest private prison companies.

Earlier this week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) started housing detainees at Delaney Hall on Doremus Avenue. No data was immediately available about how many detainees are currently at the facility. Read More: ICE Opens New Immigrant Detention Center In New Jersey – Despite State Ban

The 1,000-bed prison is the first federal detention center to open under President Donald Trump’s second term. Read More: ICE Detention Center In NJ Is First To Open Under Trump's New Term

The move will allow ICE to expand its detention capacity in the Northeast region of the country. It will also aid with deportations.

The facility’s owner, the GEO Group – one of the largest private prison companies in the nation – was recently awarded a 15-year contract that it valued at $1 billion to run the new detention center.

The reopening of Delaney Hall has seen major pushback from city officials, who issued a “stop work” order in late March. See Related: Newark Issues 'Stop Work' Order On New ICE Detention Center

The mayor’s office previously held a news conference to discuss updates on Delaney Hall on Monday, noting that a city-sponsored lawsuit is still pending. Watch the video here.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka accused ICE of opening the facility “without following proper building safety protocols” and without the necessary construction permits, continued certificates of occupancy and requests to change the building’s use.

“They failed to give city officials access to conduct inspections required under municipal ordinances and state code,” the mayor alleged. “This violates city and state law.”

“While we were going back and forth in court, handing over documents to one another, they began putting people, detainees, inside the building,” the mayor said.

When fire inspectors from the city showed up at the jail, they weren’t allowed inside – and it’s important that they get access to do safety inspections, Baraka said.

There’s another reason that city officials want access, he said: to see if there are any kids inside.

“We also need to know if they have children in the building,” Baraka said, adding that there would be a “whole different protocol” that the GEO Group would need to follow to remain in compliance with city code.

ICE has slammed the city’s legal pushback as “aggressive and legally unjustified.” Meanwhile, the GEO Group has contested the allegations from local officials, telling CBS News New York that it has the valid permits. The company dismissed the city’s accusations as “another unfortunate example of a politicized campaign by sanctuary city and open borders politicians in New Jersey.”

Baraka argued against that characterization at Monday’s news conference.

“We’ve obviously been accused of politicizing the issue,” he said. “The reality is this is not a Republican or Democratic issue in my mind – it’s an issue of human rights… it’s an issue of due process… it’s an issue of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.”

Local activists are calling on people who live in the nearby neighborhoods – especially the Ironbound, which is known for its large population of immigrants – to take “collective action” and demand change.

“Dehumanization plays an essential role in the business model of incarceration for profit,” commented Kathy O’Leary, New Jersey coordinator for Pax Christi USA.

“We should be focused on building schools and improving education, not opening detention centers and separating families,” charged Hazel Applewhite, CEO of the Ironbound Community Corporation.

“The reopening of Delaney Hall as an ICE detention center – despite clear opposition from the City of Newark – is a blatant act of defiance that endangers our communities and undermines local authority,” agreed Nedia Morsy, Director of Make the Road NJ.

“The GEOGroup has ignored the public will and locked out the officials tasked with keeping people safe,” Morsy alleged. “That alone speaks volumes about what’s happening behind those walls.”

Other criticism came from:

Dante Apaestegui, Community Response Coordinator at the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice - “We commend city officials for refusing to look the other way as GEO Group quietly begins operations without proper permits, safety inspections, or legal clearances. A private prison choosing to open its doors without meeting the same standards expected of any business or institution is not just negligent—it’s dangerous. Private prisons have a long history of putting profit over people. This time, they tried to cut corners and the city said no. That’s the kind of leadership our communities deserve. We urge the city to continue standing firm.”

Jenny Garcia, Senior Communications Associate at Detention Watch Network - “The Trump administration’s cruel, multi-layered detention expansion plan puts lives in jeopardy. It is already exacerbating a system that is rife with abuse, and will undoubtedly lead to more tragedies while tearing apart families and costing taxpayers greatly. Trump’s desire to increase the number of people locked up in detention is in deep contrast with the demands of local communities where immigrants are welcomed and valued, like in New Jersey. The reopening of Delaney Hall flies in the face of New Jerseyans’ sustained local organizing, which passed state legislation to phase out the use of immigration detention. It is clear that Trump will use every opportunity to demonize migrants while also undermining what communities want and need. We commend Mayor Baraka for joining the people of New Jersey to reject Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda.”

Li Adorno with Movimiento Cosecha New Jersey - “Imposing the reopening of a detention center in a city and state that has gone lengths to protect New Jersey communities is a form of federal overreach. If federal courts continue to allow private prisons to operate freely, they will directly facilitate Trump’s “tidal waves”, like we witnessed in Denver and Florida, to take place in New Jersey. This will exacerbate already overwhelmed legal defense efforts, which are already at capacity due to the 4 time smaller detention center in Elizabeth. This will leave hundreds of New Jersey residents to fend for themselves against the international prison profiteer and ICE. The battle in the courts has begun to spill into Newark’s toxic corridor and the gritty scrappy city is ready to brawl.”

Charlene Walker, Executive Director of Faith in New Jersey - “GEO Group and ICE operate as rogue actors, violating state and local laws while imprisoning our beloved siblings at Delaney Hall. This is lawless tyranny, and people of faith refuse to remain silent. We demand immediate closure, full transparency about those held captive, and faith leader access to provide spiritual care. Elected officials must choose: stand with Mayor Baraka or with corporate profiteers. We need bold action like that of Congressman Al Green, not more political theater. We will resist, disrupt, and persist as our faith demands—until all are free.”

Organizers said there are plans to return to the detention center for future demonstrations.

• See Related: 2 Private Prison Companies With NJ Ties May Score Big Profits From Trump Deportations

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