ICE Sparks Controversy After Blocking Governor’s Access to Immigration Jail

ICE Denies Official Access to Detention Center

Detainees Continue Hunger Strike

Criticism Against ICE Grows

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, denied New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill access on Monday to the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark.

The decision comes amid growing protests and complaints about conditions inside the immigration jail.

More than 300 detainees began a hunger strike last Friday to denounce alleged overcrowding and lack of medical care.

The case increases pressure on ICE and on the immigration policy promoted by President Donald Trump.

The protests also put conditions inside immigration detention centers in the United States back under scrutiny.

Governor Questions ICE’s Refusal

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) denies New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill access to an immigration jail in that state, where detainees remain on a hunger strike. https://t.co/BMe4vufG1h

— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) May 26, 2026

According to the EFE news agency, Mikie Sherrill said in a statement that authorities rejected her request to enter the Delaney Hall center.

The Democrat said the decision raises “serious questions about what they are trying to hide from public view.”

Sherrill became the first sitting governor of New Jersey to attempt to enter the detention center’s facilities.

The jail faces complaints related to overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and lack of medical care for detainees.

The governor went to the site accompanied by other Democratic lawmakers from the state.

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Among them were Senator Andy Kim and Representatives Rob Menendez Jr., Nellie Pou, and LaMonica McIver.

Sherrill held meetings with relatives of detained immigrants and human rights advocates who were demonstrating outside the center.

“What I heard from them was heartbreaking,” the governor said.

The Democrat said she will continue demanding accountability and called for the closure of the ICE detention center.

Hunger Strike and Protests Increase Tension

I went to Delaney Hall after reports of unsafe and unconstitutional conditions inside, and what I heard from families and advocates was heartbreaking. The people being held there are fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters who deserve to be treated with dignity.⁰⁰My request to… pic.twitter.com/gQiqPyBBfB

— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) May 25, 2026

Since last Friday, more than 300 detained immigrants have begun a hunger strike.

The purpose of the protest is to draw attention to the conditions inside Delaney Hall.

Demonstrations have also spread outside the facilities.

Weekend protests led to clashes with federal authorities.

According to the report, agents made several arrests during the demonstrations.

The center has faced criticism since the start of the mass deportation campaign promoted by Trump.

The complaints mainly point to overcrowding inside the immigration jail.

“The people inside Delaney Hall are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and members of our community,” Sherrill said.

“In New Jersey, we believe in the rule of law and that every person deserves to be treated with basic dignity,” she added.

Deaths in Custody Increase Pressure on ICE

The situation at Delaney Hall comes as criticism of ICE grows over deaths recorded in custody.

According to the report, at least 17 immigrants have died in ICE custody so far this year.

In addition, a recent CNN investigation revealed that nearly 50 detainees have died since Trump returned to the presidency.

The figure represents the highest number of deaths in immigration detention centers in at least two decades.

Complaints about poor conditions and overcrowding have increased alongside the expansion of deportation policies.

The Delaney Hall case adds to growing political and social pressure on the U.S. immigration detention system.