Protests Erupt Over Delaney Hall Reopening in Newark

The imminent reopening of Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, has sparked significant protests from immigration advocates and local officials. The facility, which closed in 2017, is set to become the first federal detention center opened under President Donald Trump's second term, amid his administration's stringent immigration policies. Local residents, advocacy groups, and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka have voiced strong opposition, citing legal and community concerns. The mayor has threatened legal action and highlighted the lack of required city approvals for the facility's operation. Protesters argue that the detention center perpetuates a legacy of abuse and unjust immigration practices. The GEO Group, a private prison company, has been actively pursuing the reopening despite a 2021 New Jersey law prohibiting new ICE contracts for local jails.