The Democratic mayor of Newark, New Jersey, is actively working to prevent immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) from using previously vacant prisons as immigration detention centers. On Tuesday, Mayor Ras Baraka arrived at Delaney Hall, accompanied by activists, demanding entry to the facility. The new owner, the GEO Group, is accused of illegally obstructing inspections.
A lawsuit filed by Newark on April 1 claims the GEO Group did not allow safety inspectors into the building, which violates city construction codes. Efforts to obtain comments from the mayor’s office regarding the ongoing lawsuit and the visit to Delaney Hall have been initiated.
During a press conference, Baraka criticized GEO Group, stating they might emulate the actions of the current president, who, in his view, acts outside of the law. He highlighted concerns from fire department officials about possible detentions occurring inside Delaney Hall.
In his remarks, Baraka noted that initial inspections revealed violations, some of which posed risks to first responders and detainees alike. These included unsanitary kitchen conditions, inadequate emergency exits, and poor ventilation.
Attorney Kenyatta K. Stewart shared worries about the potential detention of children at the facility, mentioning that denying access to inspectors breaches legal requirements. Although GEO Group asserts its occupancy certificate is valid since 2007, Baraka disputes this claim, deeming it invalid.
In response to these issues, GEO Group’s statement characterized local officials’ attempts to stop the reopening of ICE facilities as politically charged, suggesting it poses risks to public safety and local economies based on unfounded claims about Delaney Hall’s operations.
Baraka, while declaring his candidacy for governor, refuted the notion that the issue is merely political. He described it as a fundamental human rights issue and emphasized the constitutional implications involved.
