NEWARK, N.J. — Families of immigrants held at Delaney Hall detention center here lined up to visit their loved ones on Father’s Day June 21. Prison authorities had suspended visits for a week in a vindictive response to a hunger strike by 300 detainees seeking better conditions that began May 22. Visitation has remained limited by stricter rules ever since.
Outside the gates a rally of over 200 people, organized by a group called Labor Eyes On ICE, demanded freeing the detainees and shutting down the detention center. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility is operated by GEO Group, Inc.
Gabriela Soto, wife of Martin Soto, addressed the rally. “Martin was picked up by ICE in February while he was out buying diapers,” she told the Militant. “Inside Delaney he was singled out and transferred to the detention center in Elizabeth for helping organize protests about the conditions. We’re campaigning to get 10,000 signatures to demand his release.”
She has spoken out since the hunger strike began, exposing the inhumane conditions inside — inedible food, inadequate medical care, filthy bathrooms, unventilated crowded cells and work programs that pay detainees just $1 a day. The hunger strike is now over.
Protests in solidarity with the hunger strikers were hijacked by ultraleft radicals within days of the actions beginning. Often dressed for combat, these forces transformed the protests into violent confrontations that were an obstacle to mobilizing the broad support that exists among workers for defending immigrant rights and opposing raids and deportations that target fellow workers.
Heavily armed ICE agents, with an armored BearCat, pointed a mounted gun at demonstrators who were blocking the gates and shouting “Abolish ICE” and screaming obscenities. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka imposed a curfew. Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who had joined the protests May 25, sent in State Troopers May 29. At least 90 people had been arrested by June 5.
Sally Pillay, a leader of Eyes On ICE, spoke to the Militant in the area outside the hall that is used by volunteers to distribute aid to families of detainees. She has been working with them since April 2025. Pillay described the area as a “war zone” where State Troopers used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the ultralefts.
“We’ve tried to keep our tent as a ‘safe zone’ for the families, separate from the protests,” she said. Peaceful protest is needed, but “this violence hurts families and those locked up inside.”
Pillay described how authorities retaliated against hunger strikers by transferring their leaders out of units where the strike was strongest. She pointed to the cancellation of family visits and new rules that make visitation more difficult. Immigrant workers detained in the facility are being pressured to agree to “self-deport,” she said.
Truck driver Roberto Silveira spoke to the Militant outside Delaney Hall after visiting his brother, Rafael, who has been held there since March 9.
“My brother had an argument with his girlfriend and was arrested in Newark. Even though the case against him was dismissed, after he was released ICE picked him up,” he said.
“He’s been in the U.S. 19 years. I can understand them trying to deport criminals, but how come he’s inside? He runs a painting business that employs 10 people, works hard and pays taxes. And they do this to him!” Silveira said. “Trump is lying when he says he’s only deporting ‘the worst of the worst.’ Rafael has an application for a green card pending, but they’re still trying to deport him.”
Soon after Delaney Hall was reopened last year, some of New Jersey’s Democrats joined protests demanding it be shut down. Newark Mayor Baraka and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver were arrested in stunts outside the center, which were aimed at enhancing Democrats’ electoral prospects.
In contrast, this reporter, the Socialist Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate, and Craig Honts, the SWP candidate for Congress, have joined actions at Delaney Hall to show solidarity with the families of detainees. We’re also campaigning widely among working people across the state for a union-led fight for an amnesty for workers in the U.S. without papers. The SWP explains that’s the road to removing the threat of deportation confronting millions of immigrant workers and unifying the working class.
Terry Evans contributed to this article.