Federal Officials and Detainee Convictions at Newark Facility

Federal officials have asserted the removal of killers and rapists from the streets. However, data from The New York Times reveals most detainees at a Newark facility lack criminal convictions.

Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center in New Jersey, has witnessed ongoing violent clashes between law enforcement and protesters in recent weeks.

Governor Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, responding to reports of a hunger strike by immigrants protesting conditions, demanded access to inspect the facility. Her request was denied by federal officials, who insisted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was removing dangerous criminals from the state.

Despite federal claims, The New York Times obtained internal documents showing that individuals with criminal convictions represent only a small percentage of detainees at Delaney Hall. As of this week, there are 591 detainees, with merely 76 individuals (approximately 13%) having criminal convictions, and 123 (about 21%) with pending criminal charges.

The average duration of detention at Delaney Hall is around 80 days, according to data.

The Department of Homeland Security, overseeing ICE, asserted in a statement that it is actively working to expedite the transfer of detainees from the centers to their final destination: home.