DHS slams NJ Gov Mikie Sherrill for attending anti-ICE protests at Delaney Hall as 'political stunt'

After days of agitators gathering outside of New Jersey’s Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, Governor Mikie Sherrill joined the crowd on Memorial Day, attempting to gain access to the facility. The Department of Homeland Security said that visits to the center have been suspended due to riots outside. 

Sherrill had written on Sunday, "I’m deeply disturbed by reports of the poor conditions at Delaney Hall. Unsafe, inhumane, and unconstitutional living conditions are completely unacceptable. I have long opposed private detention facilities and advocated against them. I will continue to call for the closure of Delaney Hall because of reports like these. I have contacted ICE to gain access to the facility and my office remains in close coordination with our federal delegation and with advocates, and I commend their continued oversight and work to hold DHS accountable."

Sherrill said that her request for access had been denied on Monday morning. "My request for access to Delaney Hall was formally denied this morning, raising serious questions about what they are trying to hide from public view," she said, per CBS News.

A DHS spokesperson told the outlet, "Governor Sherrill's visit to Delaney Hall is nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day, when visitation is currently suspended due to riots outside the facility." 

Agitators outside the facility were heard chanting "let Sherill in." 

Protestors appeared outside of the facility on Friday as 300 detainees inside went on a hunger strike, alleging inhumane conditions. The spokesperson said that detainees are given clean water, clothing, and  bedding, three meals a day, as well as access to showers, soap, and toiletries. 

The statement added that detainees also receive "medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care," as well as phones to speak with family and lawyers. The spokesperson said that US Senator Andy Kim had been allowed inside the facility to "conduct his congressional oversight responsibilities."

One woman, Gabriel Soto, has claimed that her husband, Martin Soto Hernandez, was set to be released on Sunday, but was instead placed in a white van and transfered to the Elizabeth Contract Detention facility. She claimed that the move was in retaliation for he protesting outside. Agitators attempted to prevent the van from leaving, with DHS saying that 70 protestors were removed. 

Agitators were seen clashing with federal agents in the early hours of Monday, attempting to block vehicles from leaving the facility, per footage from Freedom News TV.

The agitators were seen making a human chain outside of the facility, blocking the entrance on Monday afternoon. 

One man who said he supported the federal agents was seen outside the facility waving an American flag.