The situation at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, N.J., has become tense with protests escalating due to allegations of mistreatment of immigrants. Reports suggest federal immigration officers have used pepper spray and tear gas on demonstrators.
Silky Shah, head of the nonprofit Detention Watch Network, highlights worrying conditions inside these facilities, stating they are often out of public sight. She notes the serving of spoiled food, medical neglect, and lack of support for detainees. Shah emphasizes that these issues are widespread in detention centers across the country.
According to a statement to NPR and WNYC, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and GEO Group, the private contractor managing Delaney Hall, deny these claims. They describe them as politically motivated attempts to dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, detainees nationwide have taken legal action over poor conditions.
GEO Group operates many detention facilities, including some run by state prisons. About half of its revenue stems from contracts with ICE, positioning it as pivotal to the mass deportation agenda under former President Trump. These operations include detention facilities, transportation services, and electronic monitoring.
Private prison companies, like GEO Group, have expanded rapidly to meet government demands for more detention beds. The GEO Group reported over $250 million in profit in 2025—a 700% increase from the prior year.
Critics point to documented substandard conditions at ICE detention centers, both public and private. Legal experts express concern that private firms prioritize profits over care.
GEO Group declined an interview but stated that ICE monitors its facilities to ensure they meet government standards. The company also affirms around-the-clock access to medical care, family visits, and adequate meals.
Concerns arise over the transparency of private companies, as they aren’t subject to the same public records requirements as government-run facilities. This can obstruct the public and journalists from uncovering issues like deaths in detention.
GEO Group’s links to ICE and DHS have prompted worries about accountability. In a recent congressional hearing, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin avoided firm commitments to allowing the New Jersey Department of Health full access to Delaney Hall. Similar access battles are ongoing in facilities across the country.
The revolving door between ICE and private prison companies is raising alarm. David Venturella, with a history in both ICE and GEO Group, is now acting director of ICE. This has led lawmakers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren to question potential conflicts of interest.
As DHS expands its detention network, concerns mount about the impact of diminished oversight. The year 2026 is already noted as the deadliest for immigration detention since the founding of DHS, intensifying calls for reform.
Reporter Gwynne Hogan contributed to this report.