Immigration advocates say conditions inside Newark’s Delaney Hall detention center continue to deteriorate as protests outside the facility entered a sixth day Wednesday. Advocates accuse federal officials of restricting detainees’ communication with family members and attorneys amid an ongoing hunger and labor strike.
In an interview with NJ Spotlight News, Make the Road New Jersey Director Nedia Morsy said detainees have lost access to video calls and commissary services while visitation remains suspended at the privately-operated U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.
Morsy also alleged detainees are facing deteriorating conditions inside Delaney Hall, including inadequate medical care and poor food quality. She said advocates are especially concerned about pregnant detainees and people with serious medical conditions.
The comments came after federal officials confirmed two arrests Tuesday night during clashes between protesters and ICE agents outside the facility. Department of Homeland Security officials accused demonstrators of assaulting officers, while advocates alleged ICE agents used pepper spray and force against protesters and volunteer medics.
The Department of Homeland Security has denied allegations about unsafe conditions inside the facility and disputed claims made by protesters and advocates.
The demonstrations began Friday after detainees launched a hunger and labor strike over conditions inside Delaney Hall.
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