Newark Plans to End Curfew Near ICE Facility as Legal Battle Over Delaney Hall Intensifies
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has announced that the city will soon remove the temporary night curfew imposed around the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility, as tensions continue to rise between protesters and law enforcement outside the site.
The curfew, which restricted movement in a half-mile radius near the Doremus Avenue facility from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., was introduced after several nights of escalating clashes between groups protesting against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies and those supporting the agency. According to city officials, the decision to lift the restriction is expected within the next day or two as the immediate security situation stabilizes.
The mayor explained that the curfew was initially enforced after serious disturbances were observed during demonstrations. These included reports of street fires, aggressive confrontations between opposing groups, and incidents where individuals were pushed toward moving traffic. Officials said these developments raised significant public safety concerns, prompting the city to act quickly to prevent further harm.
Following the introduction of the curfew, a large police presence, including New Jersey State Police units in riot gear, moved into the area. Several individuals were taken into custody after enforcement began, although authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the total number of arrests or any specific charges filed. The situation drew widespread attention as multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated efforts to manage the growing unrest around the facility.
Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed immigration detention center operated by the private company GEO Group, has become a central point of protest activity in Newark over the past week. Demonstrations have intensified since state police were deployed to the area, with authorities using measures such as mounted units, tear gas, and reinforced barricades to control access and maintain order around the site.
Mayor Baraka also confirmed that the city has been engaged in ongoing legal proceedings against the facility’s operator for nearly a year. City officials argue that the private operator has failed to comply with local regulations and is attempting to rely on its federal contract to avoid accountability under municipal law.
The city’s position is that the facility, although involved in federal immigration detention operations, remains subject to state and local oversight because it is privately run. The administration is now preparing additional legal action seeking to challenge its continued operation, citing concerns over health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Baraka stated that the broader goal of the city is the eventual closure of the Delaney Hall facility. He emphasized that private detention centers should not operate beyond the reach of local and state authorities and should be held accountable under the same legal standards as other institutions within the community.
City attorneys are currently drafting a lawsuit aimed at accelerating that process, focusing on alleged violations of local ordinances and safety standards. Officials say the legal effort will seek court intervention to determine whether the facility can continue operating under its current conditions.
As the curfew is set to be lifted, city leaders say they will continue monitoring the situation closely while the legal dispute over the future of Delaney Hall moves forward.
Sources:
Newark City Administration Press Briefing
New Jersey State Police Operational Updates
Statements from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
Immigration Detention Facility Operational Oversight Records (GEO Group-related municipal filings)
