Immigrants End Hunger Strike at New Jersey Detention Center After Reports of Intimidation

Immigrants End Hunger Strike

Report Internal Intimidation

Transfers Create Uncertainty

Immigrants detained at the Delaney Hall facility in New Jersey ended their hunger strike amid allegations of pressure and fears of retaliation inside the facility.

It was also reported that participants resumed eating and their daily activities without achieving improvements in food quality, medical care, access to drinking water, or an end to alleged mistreatment.

The protest, which began on May 22, involved more than 300 people, becoming one of the most visible actions inside a facility considered the largest on the U.S. East Coast.

Organizations that supported the effort say the end of the hunger strike was not the result of an agreement, but rather a climate of intimidation that allegedly forced detainees to stop the protest to avoid punishment.

Transfers and Restrictions at Immigrant Detention Center Intensify Protests

Immigrant detention center protests end-Photo: ICE

According to activists, transfers of several immigrants to facilities in different states weakened internal organization and left many without contact with their support networks.

Transfers to states such as Texas, Louisiana, California, and Arizona created uncertainty about the location and conditions of some detainees.

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At the same time, family visits were suspended during the hunger strike and, although they were later restored, they are now carried out with strict restrictions on schedules, duration, and access to authorized family members.

Even on important dates such as Father’s Day, several people were unable to enter the facility, increasing frustration among families hoping to see their loved ones after weeks of tension.

Surveillance, Clashes, and National Attention

The conflict was not limited to inside the facility, as clashes were reported outside between immigration agents and protesters maintaining a permanent vigil in support of detainees.

These scenes contributed to the situation gaining national attention, within a broader context of protests against immigration authorities in different cities across the country.

Constant surveillance by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents created a tense environment that, according to activists, directly influenced the outcome of the protest.

The Delaney Hall case has therefore become a symbol of conditions inside detention centers and growing dissatisfaction among people held in immigration custody.

Complaints About Obstacles to Reporting Abuse

Organizations also stated that detainees face difficulties communicating with political representatives who visit the facility for oversight purposes.

Among the imposed conditions is the requirement to sign documents in English to authorize meetings, which limits access for those who do not speak the language and reduces the possibility of reporting internal situations.

Activists believe these measures work as control mechanisms that discourage immigrants from speaking about what happens inside the facilities.

In addition, concern remains over people whose whereabouts have not been confirmed after recent transfers, increasing uncertainty about their condition and the circumstances in which they are being held, according to EFE and N+.