Newark Mayor Challenges ICE's Reopening of Delaney Hall Detention Center

The reopening of Delaney Hall in Newark as an ICE detention center has sparked significant controversy, with city officials and immigrant advocates protesting its operation and alleging violations of municipal and state laws. Mayor Ras Baraka and city agencies have been repeatedly barred from inspecting the facility for potential building, health, and fire code breaches, despite claims that detainees are already being housed there. The facility, managed by private prison company GEO Group under a new 15-year federal contract, has been accused of conducting renovations without proper permits and lacking a valid certificate of occupancy. City inspections reportedly uncovered violations such as unsanitary kitchens and inadequate emergency exits, raising safety concerns for detainees and workers. Critics argue that the reopening defies local authority and public opposition, while federal and private operators maintain control over access and operations. The dispute underscores broader tensions between local governments and federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.