Protesters outside a New Jersey migrant detention centre have alleged that US immigration agents used pepper spray and batons against them during a demonstration on Monday. The clash occurred outside Delaney Hall in Newark, where a hunger strike is ongoing.
The protesters were attempting to prevent the transfer of Martin Soto, who announced the strike. Officials confirmed that Soto was moved to the Elizabeth contract detention facility. Demonstrators claimed the incident began early on Monday morning, with tensions escalating late on Sunday when they learned guards were preparing to move Soto.
Soto’s wife, Gabriela, who is reportedly several months pregnant, has been organising protests outside the facility. She told local media that she saw her husband being pushed into a van and rushed towards it, banging on the door. “I was not letting that happen,” she said. The crowd chanted “Free Martin!” and “Free them all!” as they blocked the entrance.
At around 1am on Monday, ICE agents blocked the roadway near the back gate, reportedly to allow vehicles to exit. Demonstrators confronted the agents, who allegedly responded by clearing the area with force, pushing people onto pavements and into parked cars. At least one protester was pepper sprayed and another suffered a leg injury.
Lawyers for the advocacy group Make The Road New Jersey said they had communicated with the US attorney’s office, which claimed Soto would not be transferred on Sunday due to a federal judge’s order prohibiting his removal from the state while his habeas petition proceeds. The hunger strike began after about 300 detainees signed a letter alleging poor conditions and inadequate medical care at Delaney Hall.
The Department of Homeland Security defended the agents’ actions, stating that approximately 125 agitators had surrounded the facility, forming a human chain and setting up barricades. It said Soto was transferred later in the evening after agents dispersed the crowd. Visitation has been suspended as a precaution.
