A noisy and aggressive protest against immigration enforcement unfolded at a detention center in New Jersey on Thursday night. This led to the arrest of nine individuals who allegedly bit, kicked, and punched law enforcement officers, while others reportedly shouted threats against federal agents.
Some protestors yelled phrases like, “You are dead” and “I will kill your entire family.”
Another demonstrator was heard exclaiming, “I know your face, you bastard, you’re dead.” A group of anti-ICE protestors was seen being removed from the Delaney Hall facility, with one individual using a megaphone to mock the officers, saying, “You’re like a clown, don’t even line up. Fix it, bitch.”
Additionally, some yelled comments like “What are you doing there?!” and, rather shockingly, urged officers to “pick up your gun and shoot yourself” or “shoot yourself in the head, all the cops and food.”
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin remarked that those involved in the protests at the Newark facility were accused of assaulting staff members. In a statement shared on X on Friday, he noted that New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill “refused to allow state police to assist troopers.”
Mullin stated, “Assaulting or obstructing ICE law enforcement is a crime and a felony. Overnight, nine rioters were arrested. Those who attacked law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” He added that “law and order will prevail.”
In a separate message, Mullin provided details about the criminal histories of some undocumented individuals being held at the facility.
Protest organizers claimed that ICE detainees were on hunger strike to demand better living conditions in federal facilities. However, DHS officials contended that these allegations were misleading and a pretext for protests, drawing parallels to earlier unrest in Minnesota this year.
Demonstrators tried to obstruct vehicles and personnel from entering or leaving the facility, resulting in violent clashes with law enforcement. New Jersey Democratic Governor Sherrill engaged in a tense exchange with Mullin following his denial of access to the facility on Memorial Day, and accused the DHS secretary of blocking health inspectors.
“If the situation is really as good as you claim, then let my health inspector do his job,” Sherrill wrote on X.
In response, Mullin asserted that state inspectors had been present early Thursday. He emphasized that “all detainees are provided with adequate food, quality water, blankets and medical care, as well as the opportunity to communicate with their families and lawyers.”
