Curfew imposed in Newark after pro-immigration protests turn violent at ICE facility

WEB DESK: The Mayor of Newark has imposed an indefinite nightly curfew around a major immigration detention center in the US state of New Jersey, following days of violent clashes between pro-immigration protesters and law enforcement officials.

The emergency measure, announced by Mayor Ras Baraka, will remain in effect from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM local time within a half-mile radius of the Delaney Hall facility, according to DW.

The decision comes amid mounting public concern over the well-being of the center’s residents, who have reportedly launched a hunger strike over sub-standard living conditions.

Allegations of abuse and hunger strike

Tensions boiled over after legal representatives of the detainees revealed to media outlets that those held inside the 1,000-bed facility were being served expired food and denied access to essential medical care. In protest against the poor conditions, approximately 300 residents reportedly commenced a hunger strike in May.

The standoff has turned Delaney Hall into the latest flashpoint in the highly divisive national debate surrounding US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Political friction has further intensified after New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, disclosed that she and a delegation of state lawmakers were barred from entering the facility during an attempted oversight visit last week. In response, the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused local politicians of orchestrating a “smear” campaign against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Escalating violence and calls for calm

The situation on the ground deteriorated sharply over the weekend, prompting the mayoral intervention. Governor Sherrill reported that masked demonstrators had attacked police barricades, ignited tires in the streets, and weaponised physical barriers by throwing them at law enforcement personnel.

While condemning the violence for putting both peaceful protesters and police officers in danger, Governor Sherrill appealed for a de-escalation of hostilities. She urged demonstrators to refocus their efforts on advocating for better conditions for the detainees and their families, reiterating her ultimate goal for the complete closure of Delaney Hall.

The Governor also struck a firm political note, emphasizing that New Jersey has no desire to host ICE operations “in any way.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the DHS maintained that operations at the federal facility would continue as normal despite the local unrest.