Federal officials claim they are taking action by removing individuals like killers and rapists from the streets. However, data from The New York Times underscores a different reality. Most people held at a Newark facility are not convicted of crimes.
Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center in New Jersey, has seen ongoing and sometimes intense confrontations between law enforcement and protestors over recent weeks. This follows reports of a hunger strike among immigrants protesting conditions at the center.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has been vocal about her concerns. She demanded access to inspect Delaney Hall, but federal officials denied her request. They advised that Democratic officials in the state should appreciate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were removing ‘the worst of the worst’ from New Jersey.
The federal government’s own documents tell another story. The New York Times accessed internal data showing that only a small portion of detainees at Delaney Hall have criminal backgrounds. Out of 591 detainees, just 76, or 13 percent, have criminal convictions. Additionally, 123 detainees, or 21 percent, face pending criminal charges.
Detainees remain at this facility for about 80 days on average. The Department of Homeland Security, which manages ICE, stated they are ‘working rapidly and overtime’ to return these detainees to their homes.