What to know about the protests and arrests outside a New Jersey detention center

By — Philip Marcelo, Associated Press Philip Marcelo, Associated Press By — Claire Galofaro, Associated Press Claire Galofaro, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-to-know-about-the-protests-and-arrests-outside-a-new-jersey-detention-center Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter What to know about the protests and arrests outside a New Jersey detention center Nation Jun 6, 2026 6:29 PM EDT Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement outside a New Jersey immigration detention center since late May have become the latest flashpoint for protests against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. More than 80 people have been arrested following a series of protests outside Delaney Hall in Newark, where demonstrators say they are showing up in solidarity with detainees inside over accusations of poor living conditions. WATCH: What happens to children when immigrant parents are detained by ICE The Trump administration has defended the treatment given to detainees at the 1,000-bed facility. Here's what to know: Accusations of neglect at Delaney Hall The facility is owned by Geo Group, a private prison contractor that runs multiple detention centers across the country. Detainees launched a hunger strike last month, according Cosecha, an immigrant advocacy group. They issued a number of handwritten letters from inside with their demands, including improved living conditions and better medical care, as they say some are being denied medication. Detainees across the country have alleged medical neglect for serious and chronic conditions, and they have announced hunger strikes at other facilities. WATCH: Palestinian woman detained for a year after protesting war in Gaza describes experience The Delaney Hall detainees say they are being given moldy and expired food, some of it with maggots, and are housed in overcrowded cells that lack air conditioning. Democratic members of Congress from New York City visited the facility early in the protests and said the detainees' accounts are credible. Trump administration defends conditions President Donald Trump and his deputies have defended the center's operations and denied there is any hunger strike, abuse or poor conditions inside. "The fact is, we're giving them the calories they want," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said recently. "This isn't Holiday Inn." READ MORE: Senate report details dozens of cases of medical neglect in federal immigration detention centers Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, praised the food after a recent visit. "The spaghetti was good," he told CBS News. GEO Group has dismissed the criticisms as "a politically motivated campaign by outside groups to dismantle ICE and federal immigration detention by targeting the government's facility contractors." Arrests and protesters trying to stop vehicles The protesters, some wearing gas masks and helmets, have used traffic con