N.J. establishes protected zone around ICE facility after several protesters are arrested during clashes

ImmigrationN.J. establishes protected zone around ICE facility after several protesters are arrested during clashesDemocratic Gov. Mikie Sherill cited safety concerns following the deadly events in Minneapolis as she called for the closure of the detention center in Newark. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00ICE agents use a chemical irritant as they clash Thursday with protesters outside of the federal immigration center at Delaney Hall, in Newark, N.J., where ICE is housing detained immigrants.Adam Gray / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 29, 2026, 5:26 PM EDTBy Daniella Silva, Laura Strickler, Julia Ainsley and Helen GrahamNew Jersey’s governor called on federal immigration law enforcement at a detention center in Newark to de-escalate tensions between protesters and “act humanely,” while calling on demonstrators to protest peacefully outside the facility. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s announcement Friday follows days of tensions outside the Delaney Hall facility over dueling narratives involving allegations of abysmal conditions and the use of violence against detainees, which the Department of Homeland Security denies. Nine protesters were arrested Thursday.The governor, a Democrat, announced that the state would establish a protected peaceful protest zone outside the facility, citing safety concerns following the protests in Minneapolis earlier this year where two American citizens were killed by federal agents.“For days, we’ve heard reports of unsafe, inhumane and unconstitutional conditions there,” Sherrill said at a news conference. “We’ve seen increasing violence, arrest and pepper spray at Delaney Hall, as well as public threats from the Trump administration, and we’ve seen the risk to public safety rising outside of Delaney Hall.”Sherrill reiterated calls for Delaney Hall to be shut down and said she and others were denied entry to the fa...