Dramatic footage from the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, New Jersey shows far-left rioters assaulting federal agents with impunity after large crowds gathered to block the facility and set up an “autonomous zone” over the last several days.
Delaney Hall, a privately operated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, has been the site of several violent clashes since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last January. U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) is currently facing federal charges for assaulting officers after she and a number of her colleagues stormed the facility and fought with officers last year.
Far-left groups and politicians — including black bloc militants flying Antifa flags — have repeatedly staged violent riots outside the facility in recent days over unverified claims of a hunger strike being undertaken by some of the detainees. Over the last several days, the situation has intensified as militants have attempted to set up an “autonomous zone” where they search vehicles entering and leaving the area.
Federal agents responded to the blockades and physical confrontations, leading to several recorded incidents of contact between protesters and law enforcement.
Footage obtained by on-the-ground reporters shows crowds of protesters and rioters shoving agents, throwing projectiles, and blocking federal vehicles from entering or leaving the facility. Several clips captured moments of physical interaction, with protesters pushing or grabbing at ICE agents in tactical gear, who responded by shoving individuals back and, in some cases, dragging rioters away from vehicles or barricades.
Armored vehicles were visible at the facility, and agents in vests marked “POLICE ICE” were seen forming lines to manage the crowd. One segment depicts protesters seated or standing in front of government vehicles, halting movement, while agents moved to clear the area. Another shows a protester being pulled from the group and placed into a vehicle following a skirmish. Traffic backups formed on nearby roads as a result of the blockades.
Agents deployed less-than-lethal crowd control munitions in order to ensure access to the facility, while multiple arrests were observed throughout the day Tuesday.
The unrest stems from claims by some demonstrators and New Jersey elected officials that approximately 300 detainees began a hunger strike around May 22 over facility conditions. DHS officials have consistently denied the existence of any hunger strike or substandard conditions, stating that detainees receive regular meals and care. Visitation at the facility was suspended due to the external activity.
“This is nothing more than a political stunt by New Jersey sanctuary politicians for fundraising clicks. There is NO hunger strike at Delaney Hall. There are no subprime conditions,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin posted on X. The secretary went on to criticize several New Jersey Democrats, including Governor Mikie Sherrill and Senator Andy Kim, both of whom have attempted to gain access to the facility in recent days.
“They should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these murderers, pedophiles, rapists, and drug traffickers from their state. Would these sanctuary politicians like to house these criminals in their homes or have them as neighbors? We need these sanctuary politicians to stop peddling this garbage and cooperate with us to get these criminals out of their state,” Mullin added.
