Senator Sprayed with Pepper Spray During Turmoil Outside ICE Center

Chaos Outside Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Center

During a protest that escalated outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center, Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey reportedly faced pepper spray from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as captured in an online video.

A clip shared by Scripps News anchor Veronica Dela Cruz shows volunteers assisting Kim by pouring water into his eyes after the incident, while he can be seen wiping his face with a cloth.

Dela Cruz highlighted the ongoing hunger strike at Delaney Hall, which began on Friday. She noted that detainees were experiencing poor conditions, such as spoiled food, lack of medical care, and insufficient air conditioning during a heatwave. Pregnant women were reportedly refusing proper medical treatment, and those who had miscarried were left to cope without assistance.

In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dismissed claims regarding any medical shortages within the facility. They stated, “ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons,” adding that comprehensive medical care is provided to detainees from the moment they are taken into custody.

Kim found himself amidst a gathering of protesters who formed a human chain to obstruct ICE vehicles. Reports indicate that as negotiations faltered, ICE resorted to moving vehicles and deploying pepper spray and tear gas.

In a post on X, Kim described the chaos he witnessed: “While detainees protested the lack of due process and poor treatment, ICE chose to engage with me and others rather than the protesters, instead sending in armored vehicles.” He emphasized that the situation escalated to civilians being tackled and pepper spray being used against the crowd.

The hunger strike had reportedly begun earlier, with individuals like Gabriela Soto, who organized the rally to advocate for her husband, claiming mistreatment and threats surrounding her visitation rights. Her husband has been detained at the facility since February and has faced lengthy interrogations after protests.

Meanwhile, some officials framed the protests differently. Congressman Jeff Van Drew labeled the events as unlawful, accusing participants of obstructing federal officers. He asserted it was not a peaceful protest.

Contradicting claims of a hunger strike, the DHS stated that the reports were politically motivated fabrications, attributing the conditions at Delaney Hall to exaggerated claims. They noted that the facility holds around 300 detainees.

In addition to Senator Kim, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also took part in the protests but claimed he was initially denied access to the facility. A spokesperson later mentioned that Kim gained entry after contacting DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, though it was unclear if Sherrill had obtained access.