Recent protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have escalated into the fifth day. On Tuesday, multiple videos showed clashes between left-wing protesters and police blocking the entrance to the facility.
According to footage aired by Fox News, immigration officials forcibly pushed a woman past a line of masked, armed guards and threatened to use pepper spray, while protesters shouted at the officials. “You’re here breaking up families, taking them away! Why?” one protester yelled in the face of law enforcement officers.
The confrontation escalated into physical altercations, with a protester hitting an ICE agent with a bullhorn, prompting the agent to take it away. Other agents started moving towards the protesters, leading to brief physical scuffles before the situation calmed down.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that on Memorial Day, around 125 agitators surrounded the Delaney Hall at the detention center, many wearing Palestinian scarves and holding banners against ICE and Antifa. They formed human chains at the entrance, set up barriers, and blocked all exits and entrances.
In a recent statement, the DHS said, “These thugs obstructed law enforcement actions – which is a serious crime. Local law enforcement refused to respond to our requests for assistance in enforcing the law. We will not allow thugs to slow down ICE operations. Law and order will be restored.”
The protest was sparked by 300 detainees at the center who penned an open letter claiming that residents with HIV, cancer, and other illnesses did not receive proper medical care; other detainees did not receive enough food or the opportunity to communicate with their families.
However, the Department of Homeland Security denied these claims. The agency stated, “All detainees receive three meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, shower facilities, soap, and toiletries.” Additionally, dental and mental health services are provided based on specific needs.
“Illegal immigrants can also contact their families and lawyers by phone,” the statement added. In fact, “ICE’s detention standards are higher than most American prisons detaining US citizens.”
The protests drew attention from prominent Democrats in New Jersey, including Senator Andy Kim and Governor Mikie Sherrill.
Senator Kim was allowed to enter the facility, whereas Governor Sherrill was denied entry.
“My request to enter the facility this morning was denied, which makes me more suspicious of what they are trying to hide from the public. I will continue to seek the truth and hold ICE accountable,” Sherrill posted on Facebook.
The Department of Homeland Security accused Sherrill of engaging in “political theater.”