New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill deployed state police to establish designated protest zones and vehicle checkpoints outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark on Friday. This action effectively relieved federal immigration enforcement agents who had been managing escalating demonstrations for one week, shifting responsibility from federal authorities to state forces amidst increasing violence and arrests.
Governor Sherrill, a Democrat, stated the deployment was necessary because the situation “has grown unsafe, and that’s completely unacceptable.” She added, “We need to take this opportunity to lower the temperature.”
Following the state police's arrival and the erection of protest barriers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who had formed a line against protesters, withdrew inside the facility's perimeter fence. New Jersey State Police Lt. Col. David Sierotowicz confirmed that ICE officers agreed to stand down, ceding responsibility to state police.
State Authority Over Federal Law
The protests began one week ago after immigrant advocates claimed detainees inside the 1,000-bed facility, which opened one year ago, launched a hunger strike over poor living conditions.
Demonstrators have actively attempted to block entry and exit to the facility, forming human chains and using trash cans, umbrellas, and other items as makeshift shields and barricades.
ICE officers, equipped with helmets and tactical vests, have reportedly used pepper spray and batons to disperse protesters and clear roadways for vehicles.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin characterized the governor's measures as a “win for law and order” on social media. He noted Governor Sherrill's prior resistance to deploying state police for days.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche shared images online three days ago depicting bloody wounds and bruises sustained by ICE officers. He stated, “These riots are clearly not ‘peaceful protests’ as you can see from the photos of these horrific wounds,” adding, “Assault a federal officer, you’ll be held accountable.”
According to DHS, at least six demonstrators were arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers three days ago, with more arrests on other nights.
The Cost of Open Borders
The intervention by Governor Sherrill comes as some demonstrators expressed concern over the new protest zones. Rachel Cohen worried that “demonstrators exercising their First Amendment rights were being silenced,” asserting, “It is not helpful to quell protest for the sake of a false peace.”
Cohen further stated, “There is no peace while we are torturing our neighbors on government dime inside this facility,” highlighting the taxpayer burden associated with the detention system.
Other protesters, like Westfield resident Lisa O’Dwyer, expressed acceptance of the designated areas, stating, “I like to get my point across and stay safe at the same time.”
Pastor Eyesha Marable of Mt. Zion AME Church in Millburn also agreed with the new zones, despite acknowledging “different schools of thought” among protesters. Marable stated, “There are people here who are angry. Their family members are inside. Their friends are inside. People have been taken off the streets, out of their communities.” She concluded, “We have to keep the peace. The goal is to get our people free, to get them liberated, and we cannot do that if we’re fighting out here.”
State Attorney General Jennifer Davenport emphasized the importance of “de-escalat[ing]” the situation, declaring “violence, either against protesters or by protesters, is unacceptable.”
Governor Sherrill further indicated her reluctance to provide ICE with a “pretext” to expand operations in the state, urging, “We all need to do everything we can to cool things down now.” This suggests a deliberate strategy to limit federal immigration enforcement within state borders.
Elite Narrative Control
Four days ago, Governor Sherrill and other Democratic officials attempted to visit detainees but were denied entry.
However, Democratic members of Congress from New York City were granted a tour the following day.
These congressional members subsequently reported “dire conditions,” including detainees allegedly being fed small portions of often spoiled food and their varied medical needs going ignored.
Families and supporters of detainees also claim their loved ones have been subjected to pepper spray and physical force in retaliation for their hunger strike and the protests outside. This contributes to a narrative that prioritizes the welfare of non-citizens over the enforcement of national laws and the safety of law enforcement personnel.