Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has imposed a nightly curfew around the Delaney Hall immigration detention center as protests, arrests, and counterdemonstrations continue outside the facility.
The curfew restricts movement within a half-mile radius of the site between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Mayor Baraka said the measure was necessary due to escalating tensions and increased police intervention in the area. He noted that several individuals had already been arrested and that some were allegedly found in possession of weapons. The order also includes restrictions on nearby access routes, including limits on pedestrian and vehicle entry along parts of Doremus Avenue.
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The protests at Delaney Hall have stretched on for more than a week, drawing demonstrators who have raised concerns about conditions inside the ICE detention center. Detainees have alleged inadequate medical care, poor living conditions, and delays in immigration proceedings, while some reports indicate hunger strikes inside the facility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied allegations of mistreatment and said the facility is being operated safely.
New Jersey State Police have assumed responsibility for public safety in the area and set up designated protest zones to separate demonstrators and help prevent clashes. Authorities also reported continued unrest over the weekend, with several arrests made after confrontations that involved thrown objects, the use of barriers as improvised weapons, and fires set in the street.
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Governor Mikie Sherrill condemned the violence, stating that the actions of some individuals endangered both peaceful protesters and law enforcement officers. She urged demonstrators to reduce tensions while emphasizing that state efforts were focused on maintaining public safety and protecting the rights of peaceful assembly.
Federal officials, meanwhile, said the perimeter around Delaney Hall had been secured in coordination with state and local partners. The DHS warned that anyone obstructing law enforcement operations or disrupting activity at the facility would face legal consequences.
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Amid the unrest, family visitation at Delaney Hall has resumed after being temporarily suspended due to safety concerns. Limited visits restarted Sunday, with regular visiting hours expected to follow. By Sunday afternoon, the situation outside the facility appeared calmer, though protesters continued to gather, with some calling for the closure of the detention center and expressing opposition to federal immigration enforcement policies.
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