Sherrill says DHS to restore Delaney Hall family visitation amid protests, warns outside agitators to stay home

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Sunday the Department of Homeland Security agreed to restore family visitation at Delaney Hall, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center where people have been protesting for more than a week. 

Visitation had been suspended at the Newark facility amid protests claiming detainees are not getting proper food and medical care, allegations that DHS denies.  

Sherrill said limited visitation was to resume at noon Sunday, with regular visitation hours starting Monday. 

“Law enforcement will help escort families into the facility. It is critical that outside actors allow this to happen safely,” the governor wrote in a post on X. 

Tension boils over at Delaney Hall

Sherrill’s announcement came hours after tension boiled over Saturday for a second straight night, as New Jersey State Police shot multiple rounds of tear gas into the crowd of protesters.

“Masked individuals at Delaney Hall attacked the barrier in the protected protest area and began aggressive and dangerous actions against Newark and New Jersey State Police (NJSP), including throwing projectiles, utilizing the barriers as weapons, and lighting tires on fire in the street. These actions put both peaceful protestors and law enforcement in danger. The police were not in protective gear; they had been on location since early in the morning ensuring protestors and counter protestors had areas to exercise their rights safely. As these dangerous actions took place, additional support was needed to protect civilians and law enforcement,” the governor said in a statement overnight.

In response to the latest unrest, Newark’s mayor enacted a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew going forward in the area of Delaney Hall. 

“To the people coming from out of state to create chaos and dangerous situations, you should not be here. You are not helping the people detained at Delaney Hall, you’re not helping detainee families, and you’re certainly not keeping New Jersey safe,” Sherrill said at a news conference following Friday night’s protests.  

The governor on Sunday continued her call for peaceful demonstrations and urged outside agitators to stay home. 

“I do not know why these individuals attacked or what they wanted to accomplish, but I refuse to let these dangerous actions detract from New Jersey’s dedication to ensuring public safety, keeping people safe from ICE, and that the people detained inside Delaney Hall are treated with dignity,” she said.

DHS denies alleged mistreatment of detainees

DHS has said detainees are getting three meals a day and access to comprehensive medical care, and denies claims of a hunger strike inside Delaney Hall.

“These sanctuary politicians need to stop with the political theatre. No lawbreakers in the history of human civilization have been better treated than illegal aliens. They are provided 3 meals a day, medical care, and receive full due process,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement to CBS News New York.