City will take greater control of area surrounding facility
By: Amanda Wallace
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Newark Mayor Ras Braka has announced that going forward, the city police department will excise "a grater span of control" of the area around Delaney Hall, which remains a target in an ongoing lawsuit by the city.
..... "The city of Newark sees protests all the time and we have our own way of placing based on community relationship, the integrity of protesters and upholding personal freedoms," Baraka said in a news release Monday. [06/01/2026] "It takes all of us to stand against the injustices of Theo Group and ICE and the plight of innocent people. incarcerated at Delaney Hall."
..... The June 1 [2026] release said Newark Public safety Director Emanuel Miranda will be "intricately involved," in enforcement decision-making that aims to implement "effective community policing tactics" and safeguard the wellbeing and rights of demonstrators.
..... "The police tactics over this last weekend [05/30-31/2026] were overly aggressive, unnecessary, and in some instances unconstitutional," Baraka said.
..... This comes as a hunger strike by detainees and ongoing protest outside of Delaney Hall have intensified a months-long conflict about the facility's reopening, drawing national attention.
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During a press conference on June 2, [2026] Baraka said Newark has been involved in a lawsuit against the GEO Group regarding Delaney Hall for the past year, [2025] advocating from the beginning for the "immediate closure" of the building. The GEO Group, which owns and operates the facility, has failed to comply with city codes and ordinances, the mayor said.
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Baraka pointed out that the GEO Group is a private company and that Delaney Hall is operated by private workers, adding, "They are subject to state and municipal laws. They cannot be shield by a contract that they have with Homeland Security, which is what they're trying to do over and over again with our case."
..... Now, concerns over human rights violations inside Delaney Hall are causing broader action, according to Baraka, who said, "It's troubling," which forces us now to expand ... our lawsuit against Delaney Hall further than just code enforcement violations."
..... He later continued, "what we are most concerned about is that the public conversation has shifted away from what matters most. The urgent issues, not just what's happening outside of Delaney Hall, but what's happening inside of Delaney Hall. The detainees, their families, the real harm and hardship that they're experiencing, and we will take steps to expand and strengthen our case against the GEO group."
..... Tensions outside the detention center escalated dramatically on May 25 [2026] as demonstrator is tried OT block deportation vans leaving the building. Federal agents responded with pepper spay and pepper balls during clashes with protesters demanding the facility's closure.
..... On May 29, [2026] Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that New Jesse State Police would be deployed to the site to ensure safety as protests continued
..... The protests have sparked criticism of law enforcement's response.
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Although Baraka said he agrees with the governor's decision to take action, he does not agree with the tactics that were employed by the state police when they arrived in Newark.
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"In response to recent events, the city implemented a curfew as a measured step to safeguard both residents and peaceful demonstrators. Despite these efforts, we have witnessed continued escalation," Baraka said in the statement. "We do not support approaches that unnecessarily heighten tensions particularly when civil rights, public safety, and the well-being of the community is at stake."
..... The curfew remains in effect in the areas between Wilson and Doremus avenues, Roanoke and Doremus avenues, and Avenue P and Doremus Avenue, the statement said.
..... However, Baraka said during the June 2 [2026] press conference that the curfew will be ending shortly, adding, "Based on what happens this evening, you know, honestly I want to pull the curfew tonight., right, but you know, either we'll continue it tonight and end it tomorrow or edit tonight, but it will not continue pas this week."