New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s attempt to gain access to a Newark immigrant detention center is being slammed as a “political stunt” as a standoff between federal agents and anti-ICE protesters took hold outside the facility.
Tensions rose both in and outside Delaney Hall over the weekend, as a hunger and labor strike among inmates carried on for a fourth day.
“Governor Sherrill’s visit to Delaney Hall is nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day when visitation is currently suspended due to riots outside the facility,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“Yesterday, approximately 125 agitators surrounded Delaney Hall Detention Facility, many carrying anti-ICE signs and Antifa flags. They formed a human chain around entrances to the facility and set up barricades, blocking all entries and exits.”
Sherrill was denied access to the detention center Monday after several of her Garden State Democratic colleagues, including Sen. Andy Kim and Rep. Rob Menendez, toured the facility over the weekend.
Video circulating on social media shows Sherrill standing outside a locked gate topped with razor wire as a large group of protesters chant, “Let Sherrill in!”
Footage captured outside the facility shows several demonstrators defiantly seated side by side in an attempt to block the detention center’s main roadway, and a larger group squaring off with agents and chanting, “No more ICE!”
It was not immediately known if any arrests were made.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
