ICE Tear Gasses Delaney Hall Protest, Injuring 1 as Senator Andy Kim Gets Caught in Crowd
Updated
Updated · InsiderNJ · May 25
ICE Tear Gasses Delaney Hall Protest, Injuring 1 as Senator Andy Kim Gets Caught in Crowd
1 articles · Updated · InsiderNJ · May 25
ICE officers used tear gas and pepper spray to break up a Delaney Hall protest in Jersey City after talks over inspecting departing vehicles collapsed; activist Mussab Ali was hit in the face by a canister.
Hundreds had gathered in support of detainees on hunger strike and formed a human chain to stop what they feared was a transfer for forced deportation, prompting ICE to arrive with multiple cars and an armored vehicle.
Senator Andy Kim, joined by Representatives Nellie Pou and Frank Pallone, tried to broker a deal to let vehicles leave under observation to confirm no detainees were aboard, but the convoy departed uninspected after the clash.
The protest had been peaceful for days over conditions at the facility and the detention of hundreds of immigrants, including concern over detainee leader Martin Soto, a Kearny resident singled out by protesters.
When a protest over inhumane conditions ends in tear gas, what becomes of the detainees left inside?
After federal agents use chemical agents on protesters, what new standards will govern their use of force?
Given conflicting reports, how can the public verify the truth about detainee welfare inside federal facilities?
May 25, 2026 Delaney Hall Confrontation: Protest, Detainee Hunger Strike, and Calls for Oversight at NJ ICE Center
Overview
On May 25, 2026, protesters blocked an entrance at Delaney Hall, leading to a direct standoff with ICE agents. The situation escalated quickly as ICE deployed pepper balls, mace, and tear gas to disperse the crowd. During the chaos, Mussab Ali was struck in the face by a canister but stayed with the demonstration until protest leaders called for withdrawal. This confrontation followed days of tension over detainee conditions and hunger strikes, and was marked by the denial of facility access to elected officials, fueling calls for transparency, accountability, and reform at the detention center.