Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) on Sunday described the week of protests outside Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention center in Newark, N.J., as one of the most difficult periods of his life after officers fired pepper-spray balls at demonstrators and at him during clashes over conditions inside the facility.
Demonstrators gathered outside the ICE facility in solidarity with detained migrants who were on a hunger strike protesting conditions. The situation escalated when law enforcement dispersed crowds using pepper-spray projectiles, striking protesters and Kim himself.
"Ive gotten so little sleep this past week," Kim told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union." "This has been one of the most difficult weeks of my entire life. And again, its not about me. Its just –– I am so worried about my state."
Kim said he spoke with demonstrators who were angry and frustrated over conditions they described as inconsistent with American values.
"I feel it too," he added.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats have called for the closure of Delaney Hall and an independent investigation into conditions at the facility. Kim joined Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D), Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and national Democratic leaders including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in demanding accountability.
"There is undoubtedly things going wrong inside Delaney Hall," Kim said on CNN.
Kim called for an investigation led by the Department of Homeland Security inspector general, not only into facility conditions but also into why detained migrants are not getting their cases heard in courts. " Thats something we can fix," he noted.
The ACLU has joined New Jersey lawmakers in calling for the detention center to be shut down entirely.
Sherrill deployed state police to the facility and was denied access when she attempted to inspect conditions personally. Kim said he was permitted entry after a personal call with Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
What the Right Is Saying
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin disputed reports of poor conditions at Delaney Hall, stating that ICE is holding serious offenders at the facility.
"Theyre rapists, child predators, murderers, drug dealers," Mullin said during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. "This isnt Holiday Inn, were giving them sanitation."
Mullin noted that only a few detainees were on a hunger strike and suggested their complaint centered on food preferences rather than inadequate nutrition.
"They can go back to their country and get whatever food they want," Mullin added. "The fact is were giving them the calories they want."
Regarding the protests, Mullin said his department would continue enforcement operations at the facility within federal law.
What the Numbers Show
Delaney Hall has been a point of contention for New Jersey Democrats since before the current protests. Multiple delegation visits and formal requests for inspections have been made without resolution to lawmakers satisfaction.
The facility holds detainees awaiting immigration proceedings, with advocates arguing that many are held for extended periods without court hearings, while administration officials maintain they are processing cases appropriately given federal resources.
Kim noted Newark Airport operations could be affected by policy changes affecting the citys sanctuary status. "If you try to shut down or make it hard for people to be able to fly into Newark, thats going to have repercussions all across our country," he said.
The Bottom Line
The protests at Delaney Hall highlight ongoing tensions between local Democratic officials and federal immigration enforcement in New Jersey. Kim has committed to following up with the Homeland Security secretary regarding conditions inside the facility.
Mayor Baraka established an evening curfew around the facility for the foreseeable future as demonstrations continue. What happens next depends on whether DHS permits independent inspections and whether congressional pressure leads to policy changes at the detention center.