NJ State Police set up protest zone at ICE center

New Jersey State Police established designated protest zones and vehicle checkpoints outside Newark’s Delaney Hall immigration detention center following days of escalating clashes between demonstrators and federal agents [1]. Gov. Mikie Sherrill deployed state troopers to assume control from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, aiming to lower temperatures and protect public safety [1, 2].

Key takeaways

• New Jersey State Police replaced federal agents outside Delaney Hall, installing barriers and checkpoints to manage demonstrations [1].
• Protests began following reports of a detainee hunger strike and allegations of spoiled food and ignored medical needs inside the 1,000-bed facility [1].
• Federal officials characterized the events as "riots" involving assaults on officers, while state leaders emphasized de-escalation and First Amendment rights [1, 2].
• Clashes persisted Friday night between state police in riot gear and protesters, resulting in additional detentions after the new zones were established [2].

State intervention and mixed reactions

Sherrill stated the intervention was necessary because the situation had grown unsafe and she did not want to provide ICE a pretext to expand operations in the state [