Republicans are escalating their criticism of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s handling of the controversy surrounding the Delaney Hall detention facility, with Sen. Owen Henry (R-Old Bridge) introducing a resolution condemning the governor’s response to the protests and unrest outside the Newark ICE facility.
The resolution, SR107, faults Sherrill for her handling of the conflict and accuses her of failing to support law enforcement during the demonstrations. The measure also claims the governor “lent rhetorical support to the violent rioters” outside Delaney Hall.
“The Governor had an opportunity to stand with law enforcement and help de-escalate a dangerous situation. Instead, she chose political theater over public safety.” Henry said in a statement.
Henry’s move is largely symbolic: Democrats have a 25-15 majority in the upper house, and Senate President Nicholas Scutari is unlikely to post this for a vote.
A spokesman for Sherrill dismissed the resolution as an antic.
“This is a political stunt by MAGA Republicans who think it’s OK for Donald Trump to incite a violent riot on our nation’s capital, and then pardon rioters who attacked law enforcement officers,” said Sean Higgins, the governor’s press secretary.
Delaney Hall has become a flashpoint in New Jersey politics in recent weeks, with Democratic elected officials and candidates at both the state and federal levels drawing attention to conditions inside the privately operated ICE detention facility.
On May 31st, state police imposed a curfew on the facility and deployed state police to provide security for the building’s exterior. The curfew banned pedestrians from Doremus Avenue, the road on which Delaney Hall sits, between 9 PM and 6 AM and was lifted on June second.
Sherrill has received criticism not just from Republicans but also from immigrants’ rights advocates, who took issue with the governor deploying the state police to guard the exterior of the facility.
Henry’s resolution continues a broader effort by legislative Republicans to criticize the governor’s handling of the controversy.
Earlier this month, a group of Assembly Republicans toured New Jersey State Prison in Trenton to contrast conditions there with the protests surrounding Delaney Hall, noting that Delaney Hall is a federal immigration detention facility under the jurisdiction of the federal government. At the same time, New Jersey State Prison is operated and under the state’s Jurisdiction.
On Memorial Day, the same day, U.S. Senator. Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed during the demonstrations, Gov. Sherrill was denied entry to Delaney Hall. She was later granted access to tour the facility on June 8th.
Following the visit, Sherrill criticized the tour in a statement.
“After being denied access for weeks, I was finally allowed into Delaney Hall – but what I received was a closely controlled and limited tour of the facility. That is unacceptable.
I was not allowed to meet or speak directly with the detainees, which continues to raise serious questions about the real conditions of the facility and the treatment of those held there. I will continue to push to speak with the detainees directly. They deserve to be heard, and the public deserves answers.”
The issue of Delaney Hall has taken a back seat as the final budget process is being squared away. Still, with immigration only heating up as the midterm campaign enters the summer, it is likely to re-enter the spotlight soon.
