Immigrants at NJ Detention Center Begin Hunger, Labor Strike

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations Hundreds of immigrant men at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, began a hunger and labor strike on Friday morning, according to local immigrant advocates and a spouse of an organizer being held inside the facility. The strike spans multiple units at the detention center and began around 4 a.m. on Friday, according to Gabriela Soto, 28, who said her husband Martin Soto, a Peruvian immigrant, has been detained at Delaney Hall for about five months. The detainees’ demands are to “close Delaney Hall and free every person in there,” Gabriela Soto said. Immigrant advocates with a coalition called Eyes on ICE are planning to stage an around-the-clock protest outside the site while the hunger and labor strike continues, according to Gabriela Soto and Kathy O’Leary, a New Jersey coordinator of Pax Christi, an international Catholic peace movement. The detainees on strike are also demanding that Gov. Mikie Sherrill and U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, all New Jersey Democrats, visit the Delaney Hall detention center and speak with the detainees inside, according to O’Leary. Messages to the senators' and governor's office were not immediately returned Friday afternoon. The strike comes after nearly 300 Delaney Hall detainees signed an open letter earlier this month complaining of being “tortured physically and psychologically” with substandard food and being denied adequate access to healthcare and legal representation. Spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, and the GEO Group, which is contracted to run the facility, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An ICE spokesperson previously said detainees are afforded full due process, and dismissed complaints about the immigration justice system as misinformation spread by activists to undermine federal authorities. Earlier, Christopher Ferreira, a spokesperson for the GEO Group, said the facility complies with all ICE requirements. He added that the company provides “around-the-clock access to medical care, legal and family visitation, general and legal libraries, and meals that can meet the needs of religious and specialty diets. He charged that the allegations were "politically motivated" by outside groups opposed to ICE. This is a developing story and may be updated. Make it easier to follow Gothamist's reporting You can personalize your search results to see more stories from the sources you trust. Click to add Gothamist as a preferred source. Arya is a reporter covering race and justice. Got a tip? Email: asundaram@nypublicradio.org or reach Arya on Signal at 512-650-8767. Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations As LIRR workers went on strike, MTA Chair Janno Lieber pointed out they're the highest paid railroad employees in the country. His remarks were an instance of the pot calling the kettle black. As LIRR workers went on strike, MTA Chair Janno Lieber pointed out they're the highest paid railroad employees in the country. His remarks were an instance of the pot calling the kettle black.