Newark Imposes 9 p.m. Curfew at 1,000-Bed ICE Facility as Protests Turn Violent
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 30
Newark Imposes 9 p.m. Curfew at 1,000-Bed ICE Facility as Protests Turn Violent
12 articles · Updated · CNN · May 30
Newark began enforcing a nightly 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew around Delaney Hall at 12 a.m. Sunday after repeated clashes outside the 1,000-bed ICE detention center, with Mayor Ras Baraka citing arrests and weapons seizures.
Saturday night violence drove the move: officials said masked protesters tore at barriers, threw projectiles, used barriers as weapons and set tires on fire, prompting a large police response that included SWAT officers and mounted troopers.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said DHS also agreed to restore family visitation at the facility, with limited visits resuming Sunday noon and regular hours returning Monday.
The unrest has grown from days of demonstrations over alleged inhumane conditions, including a Memorial Day weekend hunger strike over spoiled food; DHS denies abuse claims while detainees' lawyers and Rep. Rob Menendez say conditions remain unacceptable.
Why is oversight of the Delaney Hall facility being restricted as protests over detainee welfare escalate outside its walls?
With lawmakers and federal agents giving conflicting reports, what is the truth about conditions for detainees inside Delaney Hall?
Will New Jersey's state intervention at a federal facility set a new precedent for handling these crises nationwide?
Delaney Hall Crisis: Protests, Hunger Strikes, and Legal Battles Over Immigration Detention in Newark, May–June 2026
Overview
As of May 31, 2026, Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, has become the center of ongoing protests sparked by concerns over poor living conditions for detainees. Demonstrations began earlier in May and intensified after detainees launched a hunger strike to draw attention to these issues. The protests, which have attracted large crowds demanding better conditions, are part of a broader opposition to federal immigration enforcement. While a smaller group of pro-ICE supporters has also appeared, the main focus remains on the alleged mistreatment inside the facility, highlighting deep tensions between advocates, officials, and federal authorities.