Governor Sherrill Cannot Claim Partnership While Ignoring Grassroots Organizations Sounding the Alarm on Delaney Hall

NEWARK, NJ — Following today’s press conference and Governor Mikie Sherrill’s public remarks regarding conditions at the facility, members of the ICE Out of NJ Collective welcomed her acknowledgment that nonprofit organizations should play a role in addressing concerns about immigrant detention. However, organizers expressed deep disappointment that the Governor continues to overlook and harm the very grassroots organizations, immigrant families, and community members who have spent months documenting abuses, supporting detained individuals, and demanding accountability.

For over a week, people detained inside Delaney Hall have engaged in a labor and hunger strike to protest inhumane conditions and demand that Governor Mikie Sherill meet with them; that the elderly and teens be immediately released; that the medically compromised be immediately released; and for the release of all detained individuals and the closure of Delaney Hall Detention Center.Families have reported beatings, pepper spray attacks, threats, denial of medical attention, and violent retaliation by GEO Group guards and ICE agents against people who participated in organizing efforts inside and outside the facility.

While Governor Sherrill stated that she intends to work with nonprofits, she has yet to meet directly with the community organizations that have been on the ground supporting families and documenting conditions since Delaney Hall reopened. Instead, she has chosen to work with federal partners which  has been publicly praised by the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security- the very agency she claims to stand up to and is responsible for the detention system that is separating families, carrying out mass deportations, and overseeing the abuses being reported inside Delaney Hall.

“We find it troubling that the Governor appears more comfortable receiving praise from DHS than listening to the families standing outside these gates every day,” said Ana Paola Pazmino of Resistencia en Accion NJ. “The people sounding the alarm are not political actors. They are wives, children, parents, faith leaders, and grassroots organizations hearing directly from people trapped and striking inside. If the Governor truly wants nonprofit partners, she should start by meeting with the organizations that have been carrying this fight and with the families whose loved ones are suffering inside.”

Throughout the week, members of the ICE OUT OF NJ coalition have organized vigils, press conferences, legal support efforts, and direct mutual aid and accompaniment for families receiving desperate calls from detained loved ones. Organizers say that every major revelation about conditions inside Delaney Hall has come not from GEO Group, ICE, or government agencies, but from the detained individuals and their families.

“What we heard in the press conference and witnessed on the street was the continued coordination of the state of NJ with federal agents. We saw NJ state police collaborate with ICE and we saw masked ICE agents in our streets, both of which violate New Jersey law. Yet instead of holding ICE and NJ state police accountable, peaceful protesters are being beaten and the demands of hunger strikers continue to be ignored.” Said Amanda Dominguez of New Labor. “Gov Sherill still has not committed to meeting the demands of the strikers, which includes immediately releasing individuals with medical conditions. The hunger strikers deserve more than acknowledgement, their demands deserve immediate action.”

“The people who know what is happening inside Delaney Hall are the people living it,” said Catalina Adorno from Movimiento Cosecha. “Families have been begging elected officials to listen for months. Community organizations have been documenting abuse for months. We do not need more statements crafted behind closed doors. We need elected officials willing to stand with the people directly impacted and take action to stop the suffering.”

Collective members reiterated their call for Governor Sherrill to enter Delaney Hall, meet directly with detained individuals and their families, and support immediate measures for due process and to protect those facing retaliation for participating in the hunger and labor strike.

Community members gathered outside Delaney Hall this morning alongside families visiting loved ones inside, offering prayer, support, and solidarity. Organizers described the gathering as a demonstration that immigrant communities will continue responding to cruelty and isolation with love and care.

“We came here today to accompany families and remind people inside that they are not forgotten,” organizers said. “While ICE and GEO operate through detention, punishment, and fear, and our own state government puts up barricades and cooperates with DHS, our communities answer with love, solidarity, and mutual care. We will continue showing up until every person inside is safe and free.”

The ICE OUT OF NJ Collective continues to demand:

• Immediate access to Delaney Hall for independent monitors, elected officials, attorneys, and community representatives.
• The immediate release of vulnerable detained individuals, including elderly individuals, pregnant women, young people, and those with serious medical conditions.
• Independent investigations into reports of violence, retaliation, and human rights violations inside Delaney Hall.
• Full funding for immigrant legal defense.
• Transparency regarding ICE enforcement operations throughout New Jersey.
• An end to detention expansion in New Jersey, including proposed ICE facilities in Roxbury.

“The Governor now has a choice,” organizers added. “She can stand with the regime carrying out these abuses, or she can stand with the families and communities demanding justice. We are urging her to choose the people.”

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For updates and interviews focused on the strikers and their families, please reach out, and follow Radio Jornalera NJ and Radio Cosecha, please watch an interview of a released hunger striker here

1st letter – https://www.lahuelga.com/elgrito

2nd letter – https://www.lahuelga.com/sos

3rd letter – https://www.lahuelga.com/comunicado

This video shows the detention of a violinist peacefully playing music – https://www.facebook.com/reel/1371869838096003

1 hour 52 mins and 32 seconds into this video, you will see a man standing there getting sprayed in the face by NJ state police. https://www.facebook.com/cosechanewjersey/videos/1513863846849079

1 hour 15 mins and 53 seconds into this video, you will see man getting pushed down by NJ State police and slamming his head on the concrete https://www.facebook.com/cosechanewjersey/videos/1513863846849079