The following statement was given to The Worker on May 30 by a family member of a detainee on hunger and labor strike at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, NJ.
I have a family member being held at the Delaney Hall detention center, and for our family these past two months have been a nightmare.
In the middle of the week, on Wednesday, ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents assaulted several detainees inside the facility, including my family member. That same day, it is also reported that when members of Congress or other authorities attempted to visit the facility, they were not always shown the entire center. In some cases, detainees were moved to other areas before the visits took place.
Since then, both detainees and their families have reported an environment of extreme tension, fear, and retaliation.
Companies are profiting from the suffering of families. Since January, three letters have been sent raising these concerns. After months without meaningful action, people have courageously escalated their efforts to a hunger strike just to be heard.
The conditions inside the facility are inhumane. The food is poor, the facilities are dirty, and detainees spend most of their time locked in their cells. There is no adequate medical care. To receive medical attention, detainees must fill out a form that can take up to a week to be processed, and in some cases even longer. In some situations, they do not receive care at all.
A family member was struck in the eye during the incidents that took place inside the detention center. After being injured, he requested medical attention, but it was denied. He was told he would be fine in a few days, even though he continued to experience pain and did not receive a proper medical evaluation.
After these incidents, there was not enough medical attention for many of those affected. Ambulances were called, and several individuals were transported to hospitals for treatment due to their injuries.
Detainees report that the environment inside the center has severely affected their mental health, causing stress, trauma, and emotional deterioration, which may have long-term consequences.
It is being reported that judges are handling around 70 cases per day, leaving extremely limited time for each hearing, sometimes not even five minutes. In many situations, attorneys are not given sufficient time to properly present arguments or allow the judge to fully review evidence and testimony related to each case.
There is also significant financial pressure on families, since detainees must rely on constant deposits in order to make phone calls or purchase basic necessities, which places a heavy burden on many households.
On Thursday night, many women detainees were transferred. When officers arrived, some of the women reacted and resisted being assaulted, which escalated the situation. After these events, several of them were transferred to another detention center identified by detainees as “Luciana,” considered one of the harshest facilities.
The women were transferred after confronting officers during the incidents, while other detainees attempted to protect themselves in order to avoid further physical harm. There is also fear that any reaction or self-defense could result in additional charges, further worsening the situation inside the facility.
In some transfers, Homeland Security agents made comments to detainees suggesting that if they did not like the food or conditions, they might prefer another facility. These situations have been perceived as forms of pressure and punishment.
There are also serious concerns about a reported death allegedly linked to negligence, raising further questions about conditions inside the facility and the need for accountability.
We call for these allegations to be investigated and for the public to be aware of what is happening. No person should be subjected to mistreatment, lack of medical care, or inhumane detention conditions. Families deserve answers, transparency, and justice.
Additionally, people who peacefully protest outside the facility have faced increasing restrictions, surveillance, and difficulties getting close to the area.
In recent days, protesters outside have continued demonstrating peacefully. There has been a visible police presence in the area. During the day, the situation has generally been calmer, while at night the environment becomes more tense and less visible to the public.
The people protesting are demanding justice, dignity, and respect for human rights. Many wear masks or protective gear due to reported tear gas or pepper spray in the area, in order to protect their health. Despite this, they continue organizing peacefully to make their voices heard.
The police have been coming to intimidate and confront people. When I left one evening, I noticed many police officers gathering with horses, preparing for later in the evening. It appeared that they were getting ready to move against the protesters at night, when there would be fewer witnesses. These tactics seem designed to discourage people from returning and speaking out.
What many of us see is a system that continues to profit while people inside suffer. The private company operating the facility continues to make money, while concerns about conditions, treatment, and accountability remain unanswered. At the end of the day, it feels as though our loved ones are being treated as a source of profit rather than as human beings deserving of dignity and respect.
The whole world needs to know what is happening. They are making money from our people and separating innocent families. In an oppressive state, only the people can save the people.
If an ICE detainee or family member would like to provide information regarding their conditions or submit a statement for publication, please email us at theworkerpaper@proton.me.
Image: Newark, NJ police officers work with federal agents to repress protesters outside the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. Credit: The Worker.
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