New Jersey Police Detain 3 Journalists at Newark ICE Protests as Credential Rules Draw Fire
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3
New Jersey Police Detain 3 Journalists at Newark ICE Protests as Credential Rules Draw Fire
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3
Summary
At least three journalists covering Newark protests near the Delaney Hall ICE facility were detained Sunday, held for a full day and denied lawyer access; one was injured and taken to a hospital.
Newark’s curfew exempted reporters with “verified credentials,” but officers told some clearly marked journalists their IDs and press vests did not qualify, without explaining what verification meant.
Police first kettled a group that appeared to include mostly journalists, then pushed released media about 100 feet away and farther still, limiting the sight-and-sound access courts generally protect.
The US Press Freedom Tracker documented 30 officer assaults on journalists near the facility in one week, including pepper spray, baton strikes and the removal of a WNBC crew from its vehicle.
The clashes have sharpened a broader dispute over who counts as press at protests, especially as independent livestreamers increasingly document events for major audiences and news outlets.
With journalists arrested and cameras pushed back, who is documenting the truth about conditions inside the Delaney Hall detention center?
Did ending Newark's police consent decree just months ago enable the aggressive tactics seen against protesters and journalists?
Delaney Hall 2026: Detainee Hunger Strike, Protests, and the Crisis of Trust in U.S. Immigration Detention
Overview
The Delaney Hall crisis in late May and early June 2026 began with long-standing concerns over inhumane conditions, such as overcrowding and lack of regular meals, which led to unrest and a reported hunger strike. Official denials of these problems fueled protests outside the facility, prompting a strong police response that included chemical irritants and curfews. This heavy-handed approach created a hazardous environment for journalists and eroded public trust. The events sparked calls for greater accountability, potential reforms in detention practices, and intensified debates over immigration policy and the role of private operators in detention centers.