SouthernWorldwide.com – President Donald Trump has characterized the protesters outside Delaney Hall as “fake” and “paid for” amidst escalating demonstrations at the Newark ICE detention facility and increased pressure from Democratic lawmakers regarding internal conditions.
During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump stated, “These aren’t protesters; these people are fake, they’re all paid for.” He further asserted that the United States operates “the finest facilities anywhere in the world of their type.”
Trump’s remarks followed several days of protests outside Delaney Hall. Detainees and their families have raised concerns about overcrowding, poor living conditions, and inadequate medical care within the facility. Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat from New Jersey, reported that some detainees have initiated a hunger strike.
The situation intensified on Wednesday when Representatives Daniel Goldman and Jerrold Nadler, both Democrats from New York, were escorted into the facility. This occurred as scrutiny surrounding the detention center’s conditions continued to grow.
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Protests outside Delaney Hall commenced on Friday and persisted throughout the week. At times, these demonstrations became chaotic, with demonstrators clashing with ICE agents. On Sunday night, protesters attempted to impede vehicles from entering and exiting the detention center.
On Monday, officers deployed tear gas and forcefully removed protesters during confrontations outside the facility. Video footage from the scene depicted officers throwing one protester to the ground and dragging another away from the entrance.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also defended the conditions at Delaney Hall and dismissed criticisms from detainees and Democratic lawmakers.
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When questioned about the complaints related to the facility, Mullin remarked, “This isn’t Holiday Inn.”
Mullin also criticized elected officials who have appeared outside Delaney Hall, including Senator Kim, who stated he witnessed deteriorating conditions firsthand during a recent visit.
Regarding Senator Kim being pepper-sprayed outside the facility, Mullin commented, “I’m sorry, you probably shouldn’t have been there.”
Senator Kim informed CNN that detainees had shown him spoiled food and described worsening conditions inside the center.
“A detainee handed me a carton of milk, and I looked at it, and it was just congealed solid, I mean it was absolutely disgusting,” Kim recounted.
ICE officials have refuted the allegations that detainees are being held in unsafe or inhumane conditions at the facility.
