HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

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114 incidents with known locations
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Two Raymond's restaurant workers detained by ICE in Montclair, NJ

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Aug 20, 2026Montclair, NJ

Two workers at Raymond's restaurant in Montclair, New Jersey were detained by ICE on a Wednesday morning while on their way to work, according to co-workers and public records. Both men are currently being held at Delaney Hall, a detention facility in Newark. ICE has not detailed the circumstances of the arrests.

Two restaurant workers detained by ICE while walking to work in Montclair

Aug 19, 2026Montclair, NJMexico

Macedonia Merino Maldonado, 19, and Jero Jimenez Garcia, 29, both kitchen staff at Raymond's restaurant in Montclair, were detained by ICE agents on Bloomfield Avenue while on their way to work. A federal detainee locator confirmed both men, originally from Mexico, are being held at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark. Co-workers said the men lived in Montclair, and a local advocate said as many as five Montclair residents may have been arrested that day, though those additional details could not be confirmed. A server at the restaurant said colleagues were devastated by the arrests, and local officials, including the deputy mayor, called the detentions "extremely concerning."

Colombian bridal shop owner and mother detained by ICE in New Jersey

Aug 19, 2026Teaneck, NJColombia

Ari Ladino, owner of Luana Rose Modestly, a bridal and special occasion dress shop in Teaneck, New Jersey, was detained by ICE along with his mother, who worked alongside him at the store. Ladino and his mother are originally from Bogotá, Colombia, and had run the shop since it opened in 2024, becoming known for custom gowns popular among local Orthodox Jewish women. Their landlord, Elie Y. Katz, helped retrieve dresses for clients whose weddings and events were imminent after the pair went missing, and later learned Ladino's mother had been sent to a different detention center. Ladino asked a business partner to prepare the store for a sale of the gowns to help raise money for his legal defense.

Man detained by ICE agents after visiting Newark church food pantry

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Aug 18, 2026Newark, NJ

A man was detained by ICE agents in Newark, New Jersey, after visiting the food pantry at United Deliverance Tabernacle church. According to Iszzy Owens, who filmed the encounter, the man had signed up for food assistance and crossed the street to wait for a bus when two ICE agents surrounded him; a third agent then arrived and the man was handcuffed and taken away. Owens said the man visits the church pantry every Friday and does not bother anyone, describing him as "a good person."

Masked ICE agents detain man on Union City street corner

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Aug 17, 2026Union City, NJ

A man was taken into custody by federal immigration agents at Summit Avenue and 21st Street in Union City, New Jersey, according to a witness. The witness said three ICE vehicles arrived and agents detained the man while he sat on the corner with a friend; he provided identification before masked agents handcuffed him, searched his bag and pockets, and took him away. The incident follows a New Jersey law signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill barring law enforcement from wearing masks while interacting with the public, which ICE has continued to disregard. The report is part of a series of immigration enforcement actions recently reported across Hudson County, including in West New York, Guttenberg, North Bergen, and Weehawken.

Video appears to show ICE agent kicking man in New Jersey

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Aug 17, 2026West New York, NJ

A video submitted to HudPost appears to show a federal immigration agent kicking a man during an encounter at 52nd Street and Hudson Avenue in West New York, New Jersey. The footage shows an agent making physical contact with the man, though the circumstances leading up to the moment are unclear and could not be independently verified. ICE did not comment on the incident, citing its policy of not discussing active investigations or arrests. The report follows a series of other immigration enforcement actions across Hudson County in recent weeks, including in Guttenberg, North Bergen, Weehawken, and Union City.

Man detained by ICE while waiting for bus to work in Newark

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Aug 14, 2026Newark, NJ

A man was reportedly detained by ICE agents while waiting for a bus to go to work in the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey. Video footage shows officers wearing tactical vests marked "POLICE" apprehending the man near a residential street. The incident has generated concern in the local community.

Detained woman denied diabetes medication at New Jersey detention center, Rep. Mejia calls it a 'slow death sentence'

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Aug 12, 2026Elizabeth, NJ

Margarita, a woman from New Jersey, was detained at the Elizabeth Detention Center for two months following what was described as a violent arrest. During her detention, she received only about a quarter of her prescribed diabetes medication, and her doctor and pharmacy were not contacted despite her family's concerns. Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-NJ) visited her and raised concerns about her treatment, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also expressing concern. Mejia characterized the conditions as a "slow death sentence."

ICE arrests 14 people in Hackettstown enforcement operation, two with prior criminal histories

Aug 12, 2026Hackettstown, NJ

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 14 people during an immigration enforcement operation near Hackettstown, New Jersey on August 6, 2026. According to DHS, all 14 individuals entered the United States illegally and are now in removal proceedings or undergoing removal. Two of those arrested had prior criminal histories: Rafael Salazar, a Dominican Republic national previously arrested twice in Miami on cocaine possession charges, and Luis Rivera Guillen, a Honduran national with prior convictions in New York. DHS did not provide details about the circumstances of the operation or identify the remaining 12 people arrested.

Filipino national arrested by ICE in Jersey City traffic stop

Aug 10, 2026Jersey City, NJPhilippines

A Filipino national from Cebu was arrested by ICE during a traffic stop in Jersey City and is being detained at an ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. According to the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the man entered the United States decades ago on an athlete visa through the Gintong Alay sports program. The Consulate visited him and reported he is in good spirits and good condition. The family has retained legal counsel and requested privacy as they prepare to contest the matter in immigration court.

Father of 26 years detained by ICE during work; community raises $50,000 for legal support

Aug 8, 2026South Orange, NJCosta Rica

Tonny Quesada-Ramirez, a Costa Rican national who has lived in the United States for approximately 26 years, was detained by ICE agents on August 7, 2026, while working on a home addition project one block from his residence in the South Orange-Maplewood area. He lives with his wife and two children, one of whom has Down's syndrome. Quesada-Ramirez had begun the green card application process when he was detained and is being held at Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark pending removal proceedings. At least four other people, including Omar Alvarez (a sous chef) and two men who work at a roofing company, were detained in the area during the same enforcement activity. A neighbor who had hired Quesada-Ramirez for various carpentry jobs over five years started a GoFundMe that surpassed $36,000, and community members raised over $50,000 total through documenting the enforcement activity, connecting families with resources and attorneys, and fundraising efforts.

Black DoorDash driver arrested by ICE agents on Jersey City street without warrant

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Aug 5, 2026Jersey City, NJ

A Black DoorDash delivery driver was arrested by masked ICE agents on a Jersey City street while working. According to the post, the agents did not provide a warrant or demonstrate they had legal reason to detain him. The arrest occurred days after another person died in ICE custody at Delaney Hall in Newark.

Salvadoran father dies in ICE custody at Delaney Hall after alleged medical neglect

Aug 4, 2026Newark, NJEl Salvador

Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo, a 39-year-old Salvadoran national who had lived in the U.S. for nearly 20 years, died August 1, 2026, at University Hospital in Newark following a medical emergency at the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility. He suffered from epilepsy, diabetes, and high blood pressure requiring daily medication, and leaves behind a 12-year-old U.S. citizen daughter, Ashley. ICE arrested him June 18, 2026, in Plainfield, New Jersey, reviving a 2006 deportation order, though his family said he held a valid work permit. His mother, Maria Cornejo, said he called her feeling very ill with numbness in his face and hand after seeing a facility medical provider, and described him as hardworking and a good father, saying, "I lost him to the hands of immigration authorities." The ACLU of New Jersey and his family allege he was denied adequate medical care, which DHS denies, stating he received proper treatment. His death was the second at Delaney Hall since it opened in May 2025, following months of detainee complaints and lawsuits alleging denial of medication, and prompted Governor Mikie Sherrill and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to call for the facility's closure.

Canadian woman deported after slapping teenager on New Jersey boardwalk, husband disputes account

Aug 4, 2026Point Pleasant Beach, NJCanada

Kaitlyn Tracey, a 33-year-old Canadian citizen, was arrested on July 3, 2026, after allegedly slapping a teenage girl twice on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk during Fourth of July weekend. The confrontation occurred after Tracey objected to the girl's sweatpants displaying political slogans and allegedly verbally harassed her about her clothing. Police documented the assault on video. Tracey had entered the U.S. on April 14, 2024, on a tourist visa that expired September 6, 2024, remaining in the country illegally. She was charged with simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child, harassment, and obstruction. On August 4, 2026, a federal immigration judge ordered her deportation to Canada after she pleaded guilty to assault; she received a one-day jail sentence credited to time served. Her husband, Matthew Geroni, a U.S. citizen married to Tracey for over three years, disputed the characterization of events and alleged the arrest was politically motivated, claiming the viral video had been taken out of context. He launched fundraising efforts and social media campaigns to secure her release, raising $4,857 toward a $10,000 goal.

Kosovo man with CAT protection detained by ICE challenges detention in federal habeas petition

Aug 3, 2026Newark, NJKosovo

Blerim Skoro, a citizen of Kosovo, was granted deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) on November 9, 2022. He was detained by immigration authorities at the Newark Field Office and filed a habeas corpus petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 on August 3, 2026, challenging the legality of his detention. Skoro argued he is being wrongfully held under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) and sought release or a bond hearing under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). The court noted there is no indication Skoro is currently in removal proceedings, and clarified that a CAT grant does not preclude detention or removal to a third country. The court denied Skoro's motion for a temporary restraining order without prejudice, finding insufficient facts to determine whether his detention is lawful under 8 U.S.C. § 1231. The court declined to dismiss the petition and ordered an expedited briefing schedule, requiring the government to file a full answer within 7 days addressing the statutory basis for detention. A prior stay of transfer from the District of New Jersey, entered by the Chief Judge, remains in effect during the proceedings.

Woman alleges ICE agents threw her to ground, head-slammed her in New Jersey

Aug 2, 2026New Jersey

The ACLU filed 54 legal claims against ICE across 17 states, alleging federal agents engaged in wrongful conduct including unlawful arrests, racial profiling, and excessive force. One claim involves a woman who alleges ICE agents threw her into the air and slammed her head onto the ground outside Delaney Hall in New Jersey, seeking $500,000 in damages. The claims accuse ICE of negligence and civil rights violations during immigration enforcement actions.

Mexican national taken into ICE custody for third deportation

Aug 1, 2026Newark, NJMexico

Martin Martinez-Ballinas, 38, a Mexican national, was transferred to ICE custody on July 22, 2026, after completing a federal prison sentence for illegal reentry at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He faces deportation proceedings for the third time. Martinez-Ballinas was previously deported in 2020 after a 2017 felony conviction in Maryland for a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a U.S. Marine, then unlawfully reentered and was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in Texas in 2021, convicted of illegal reentry, and deported again in October 2022. He reentered the United States again without authorization and was apprehended in Maryland in December 2023, subsequently convicted of another unlawful reentry offense.

Syrian restaurant owner and caregiver detained at ICE check-in, later released on bond

Jul 31, 2026New JerseySyria

Iemad Saifo, a 65-year-old Syrian-born chef who owns Zena's American Mediterranean Cuisine and Catering in Collingswood, New Jersey, was detained by ICE during what he believed was a routine check-in, despite having a pending immigration case with a December court date. Saifo came to the U.S. in 2002 on a B1/B2 visa, is the primary caregiver for his son with autism, and suffers from a rare neurological condition and chronic kidney disease. His wife and four children are U.S. citizens, and a residency petition filed by his U.S. citizen son had cleared its first approval stage. He was taken to Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, and his attorneys filed an emergency habeas petition after which a federal judge barred ICE from transferring him out of state. A petition supporting him gathered more than 12,500 signatures, drawing support including from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and over 150 notarized letters from community members. An immigration judge granted bond and he was released, with his daughter saying, 'We are so relieved to have him safely back home as the immigration process continues.'

Two El Nopalito restaurant kitchen staff detained by ICE

July 28, 2026Haddonfield, NJ

Two brothers working as kitchen staff at El Nopalito restaurant were taken into ICE custody earlier in the week. They have legal advisors but require financial support for expenses including phone calls, legal communications, and personal hygiene items while in custody, as well as to support their families with housing, food, and utilities during their absence from work. A fundraiser was organized by to cover legal, travel, and family support expenses as the brothers work through the immigration process.

Parents detained by ICE during traffic stop, mother injured during arrest

July 27, 2026Belleville, NJ

Erika and Edgard, a married couple and parents of two with a granddaughter, were removed from their car by ICE officers without explanation. Erika was injured during the arrest, sustaining bruises to her hands and arms. The couple have lived in the country as taxpayers with no legal problems and have worked to build a better life for their family. Their daughter Valeria is seeking legal representation funds to help them fight detention and reunite the family.

Guatemala resident crashes while fleeing ICE agents in New Jersey

Jul 27, 2026Teaneck, NJGuatemala

Luis Angel Cifuentes Rodas of Guatemala was driving a pickup truck when he attempted to flee from ICE agents on Walraven Drive in Teaneck. While evading agents, he crashed into a parked SUV, which struck a utility pole and brought down power lines onto the street and parked vehicles. Cifuentes Rodas was evaluated for head pain at the scene, arrested by ICE agents, and taken into federal custody. He received motor vehicle citations for reckless driving and driving on a sidewalk and will have his case heard by a Justice Department immigration judge.

Father arrested during school drop-off, children left unattended on roadside

July 26, 2026Franklin Township, NJMexico

An undocumented father was arrested by ICE agents while driving his 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter, both U.S. citizens, to school in Franklin Township. Witnesses and the family say agents asked the boy to call a relative but drove away before anyone arrived, leaving the two children unattended on the roadside. The boy recorded the arrest on his cellphone. According to DHS policy, ICE agents should remain on scene until a designated third party or child welfare authority assumes custody of minor children. The mother stated, "I think [the ICE agents] have no feelings because of how they left the car and the children there alone." The son said, "I still don't think it's right to leave unattended minors." The family plans to self-deport to Mexico with both children, who are U.S. citizens.

Asylum-seeking husband detained by ICE, separated from wife in New Jersey

July 26, 2026Maplewood, NJNicaragua

Boanerges Flores and his wife, Alba Matamoro, came to Missouri from Nicaragua three years ago to seek asylum, saying it was unsafe to return because Flores had worked for the Nicaraguan government. The couple attended every scheduled check-in with ICE. During a routine appointment last week, agents detained Flores and placed Matamoro on an ankle monitor. Flores is now in deportation proceedings. The couple works in the Maplewood-Richmond Heights school district, where staff described them as model employees. Their 8-year-old daughter attends school in the same district. Matamoro said their daughter has struggled with the separation, and that explaining the family's potential move has been difficult. Court records show no criminal history for either of them.

Filipino sanitation worker detained by ICE during commute, community leaders mobilize for release

Jul 24, 2026Jersey City, NJPhilippines

Raul Raagas, a 63-year-old Filipino immigrant from Cebu City, was detained by ICE on July 24, 2026, while commuting to work in New Jersey, and is being held at the CoreCivic Elizabeth Detention Center in Elizabeth. Raagas has lived in the United States for over three decades, settling in Jersey City in the late 1990s where he met his wife Janet and raised two children while working in sanitation services. He is a member of LIUNA Local 741 and is described as "a quiet, hardworking man who keeps to himself and always shows up for others." His detention has caused emotional and financial hardship for his family, as he is the primary household provider. Jersey City Councilman Rolando R. Lavarro Jr. and New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Legislature, have mobilized to secure his release, coordinating legal support and pushing for a bond hearing or humanitarian release while his case is reviewed.

Five landscapers arrested in ICE operation in Belleville

Jul 23, 2026Belleville, NJ

Five landscaping workers were arrested by ICE on July 23, 2026, during operations on Rutgers Street and Van Reyper Place in Belleville. Each person is accused of being unlawfully present in the United States. ICE stated all will remain in custody pending removal. No Belleville officials were notified in advance, and the town's police department was not involved in the operation.

U.S. citizen detained by ICE after confronting agents during neighbor's arrest in New Jersey

Jul 23, 2026Passaic, NJ

Brandon Domena, a U.S. citizen and native of Passaic, New Jersey, was detained by ICE for approximately five hours after he questioned federal agents about why they were detaining one of his neighbors on July 23, 2026. Video footage shows multiple ICE agents in tactical gear restraining Domena face-down on a residential lawn, handcuffing him, and placing him in a vehicle while bystanders recorded. According to his family and witnesses, Domena repeatedly stated he was a U.S. citizen during the arrest. A witness reported that five agents restrained him and that his arm was nearly dislocated. Domena believes he was racially profiled. ICE has not released an official statement regarding his identity, citizenship status, or the reason for his detention.

Colombian man prevented from self-deporting, ordered released after ICE detention

Jul 23, 2026Newark, NJColombia

Marlon Andres Torres Gomez, a Colombian national, was granted voluntary departure by an immigration judge and ordered to leave the United States by June 11, 2026. He purchased a one-way plane ticket to Colombia departing June 10 and repeatedly contacted ICE to coordinate his departure. However, ICE detained him and prevented him from boarding the flight. When the June 11 deadline passed, the government argued Torres Gomez was subject to mandatory detention because he had failed to depart. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled on July 22, 2026, that ICE violated Torres Gomez's due process rights by preventing him from complying with the voluntary departure order and then using that failure as justification for continued detention. The judge ordered his immediate release.

Guatemalan man dies after medical emergency at Delaney Hall detention center

Jul 22, 2026Newark, NJGuatemala

José Chajón-Raxón, a Guatemalan immigrant, was detained by ICE at the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, New Jersey on July 18. The following day, a nurse witnessed him experiencing seizure-like activity and he was hospitalized. DHS said he was released from ICE custody on July 22 but has not disclosed further details, including when he died or whether he left the hospital before his death, citing a policy that ICE is no longer responsible for tracking deaths after release from custody. His death became publicly known after Democratic U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez disclosed it; Menendez said he received conflicting information about the case and conducted an oversight visit to the facility. Chajón-Raxón is the third detainee to die in connection with Delaney Hall.

Two Guatemalan brothers arrested by ICE during Camden sweep, community rallies

Jul 20, 2026Camden, NJGuatemala

Two brothers from Guatemala who worked as kitchen staff at El Nopalito restaurant in Haddonfield were arrested by ICE agents on July 20, 2026, while walking near their home in East Camden. The longtime employees, who sent money home to support family members including children, were taken into custody and are believed to be detained at Delaney Hall in Newark. The restaurant's owners and local community members expressed shock at their arrests, with hundreds of supporters offering legal services, volunteer kitchen help, and financial assistance through social media.

U.S. citizen detained by ICE after repeatedly asking agents to verify his ID

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Jul 17, 2026Passaic, NJ

ICE agents in Passaic, New Jersey detained a U.S. citizen who repeatedly asked them to verify his identification. According to a neighbor who filmed the incident, the man told the federal agents who he was and pleaded with them to check his ID, but agents forced him to the ground, handcuffed him, and placed him in their vehicle without verifying his identity.

Two noncitizens arrested in Morristown ICE operation

Jul 16, 2026Morristown, NJHonduras

ICE agents arrested two noncitizens during a targeted enforcement operation in Morristown on July 16, 2026. Marlon Portillo-Masariegos, a Honduran national, was arrested; DHS stated he had been deported twice previously (in June 2018 and September 2018) and had re-entered the country illegally. Eduardo Alonso Guaido Bracho, a Venezuelan national, was also arrested; DHS said he had entered the U.S. illegally in 2024 and had been issued a final removal order on June 3, 2025. Morristown police director Michael Corcoran said ICE agents arrived in unmarked vehicles around 6 p.m. without advance notice and detained several individuals. Residents reported seeing ICE agents chase a young man on foot through backyards.

Immigrant married to U.S. citizen detained by ICE in New Jersey

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Jul 10, 2026New Jersey, NJ

An immigrant who is married to a U.S. citizen was detained by ICE agents in New Jersey on July 10, 2026. The person's U.S. citizen spouse contacted immigration attorneys for assistance with the case. The detention occurred shortly after the law firm had warned that spouses of U.S. citizens are being targeted by ICE.

Nine individuals arrested by ICE in New Jersey enforcement operations

Jul 1, 2026New Jersey, NJBrazil

Between May 25 and May 30, 2026, ICE arrested nine individuals in New Jersey as part of enforcement operations. The arrests included: Esteban Pastor Montes Navarro (Mexico) on 5/25 with convictions for simple assault and possession of weapon; David Benitiz (Honduras) on 5/26 with convictions for simple assault, obstructing police, and public order crimes; Cesar Augusto Diaz Poveda (Ecuador) on 5/27 with arrests for assault and obstructing police; Jose Manuel Rivera-Mes (Guatemala) on 5/28 with a conviction for voluntary manslaughter and arrests for weapon offenses; Success Bounte (Ghana) on 5/28 with convictions for robbery, burglary, identity theft, and credit card fraud; Ismael Antonio Moreno-Javier (Dominican Republic) on 5/28 with arrests for terroristic threats, assault, child neglect, and fraud; Carlos Javier Llano-Batista (Dominican Republic) on 5/28 with arrests for fraud, larceny, burglary, and robbery; Jacinta Contreras Reyes (Mexico) on 5/29 with arrests for domestic violence, aggravated assault, and weapon-related charges; and Pabline Patricia Da Silva (Brazil) on 5/30 with arrests for burglary, larceny, and property damage. ICE conducted expanded enforcement operations across New Jersey, resulting in the arrests of several individuals. Marvin Miguel Perez, a Guatemalan national, was arrested on July 6 and had prior convictions in Mercer County Superior Court for unlawful possession of a weapon and theft. Jorge Vega-Meza, a Mexican national, was arrested on July 1 and had been previously removed from the United States with prior convictions related to drug distribution and racketeering. Fidel Rodriguez Lemus, a Cuban national, was arrested during the operations after being ordered removed in 2022 and having previously received a federal prison sentence in the Eastern District of Virginia. Kaitlyn Tracey, a Canadian national, was taken into custody by ICE after allegedly assaulting a teenage girl on the Point Pleasant Boardwalk, with the girl allegedly targeted for wearing pro-Trump and ICE clothing.

Construction business owner detained by ICE, leaves children including nonverbal autistic son

Jun 26, 2026Dover, NJ

A construction business owner with no criminal history was detained by ICE while traveling to work. He is the father of an 11-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old nonverbal autistic son who depends on him for daily care and support. His family is seeking legal representation to fight his detention and reunify the family.

Three arrested in ICE operation in Rio Grande section of Middle Township

Jun 19, 2026Rio Grande, NJ

Three people were arrested during an ICE operation on June 19, 2026 in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township, according to Cape May Immigrant Support. Federal and local officials did not confirm the arrests or provide details about those detained. The operation prompted members of the Spanish-speaking community in the area to stay away from work or keep children home out of fear.

10-year-old girl fainted outside detention center denied visit to diabetic father during hunger strike

Jun 19, 2026Newark, NJ

A 10-year-old girl, Nayeli Gomez, protested outside Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, where her diabetic father has been detained for nearly a year. During her birthday visit, she was denied family visitation by ICE agents. The girl fainted and sustained injuries outside the facility during a confrontation in which a female guard cursed at and insulted her. Her visit occurred amid ongoing labor and hunger strikes by detainees protesting inhumane conditions, including rotten food, lack of medical care, and poor sanitation. Activists expressed concern that a large influx of federal immigration officers entering the facility may signal transfers of detainees to disrupt organizing efforts.

Father arrested by ICE at bus stop in front of two children in school uniforms

Jun 18, 2026North Bergen, NJ

Dionicio Miguel Francisco-Gutierrez was arrested by ICE on Friday, June 14, 2026, while waiting at a bus stop in North Bergen, New Jersey, in front of his two children who were in school uniforms. The arrest was recorded by a bystander. According to federal officials, Francisco-Gutierrez has a prior criminal conviction for violating Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act, with previous arrests on drug charges in 2022 and 2023. Following his arrest, his two children were placed in the custody of a legal guardian that he had designated. North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Hugo Cabrera condemned the enforcement action, with Cabrera stating that "the trauma inflicted on young children witnessing a parent or caregiver being detained is profound and lasting."

Peruvian man self-deported, then wrongly linked to ICE officer assault in New Jersey

Jun 18, 2026Manahawkin, NJPeru

Friedrich Castillo-Ormeno self-deported to Peru in March 2026 after receiving a final deportation order and was approved for CBP Home incentive payments ($2,600) in April verifying his departure. In June 2026, ICE mistakenly identified him as a suspect in a violent incident in Stafford Township, New Jersey, where an officer was struck by a vehicle during an enforcement operation on Route 72. Federal prosecutors later charged a different man, Eduardo Cruz Garcia, with the assault. Castillo-Ormeno expressed concern that the misidentification could harm his reputation and affect his ability to legally return to the United States, as well as his U.S.-born daughter's documentation.

North Bergen woman separated from crying sons by ICE agents near school

Jun 16, 2026North Bergen, NJ

A woman was detained by ICE agents in an incident captured on video near a Hudson County school, separating her from her young children. Local officials condemned the enforcement action and noted that the agents wore masks in violation of a state law signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill in March.

Family visits rejected over 'provocative' toddler clothing at ICE detention center

Jun 15, 2026Newark, NJ

Gabriela Soto's husband has been detained at Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark since January. Soto and her children have been repeatedly denied visits more than 10 times due to alleged dress code violations, including rejection of her 11-month-old's onesie and her 4-year-old's leggings as 'provocative.' The facility has also faced scrutiny for unsanitary conditions and tuberculosis control issues, with mass protests erupting outside and detainees reportedly participating in a hunger strike.

Hundreds stage hunger strike at Newark detention facility over spoiled food, pepper spray used on protesters

Jun 11, 2026Newark, NJ

Beginning May 27, 2026, hundreds of detainees at Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed private immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey operated by GEO Group under contract to ICE, initiated a hunger and labor strike protesting conditions including expired and contaminated food infested with worms, forced labor at wages as low as $1 per day, stiflingly hot conditions due to ventilation problems, and reports that female detainees had been groped by a guard. Federal data showed that of 591 detainees held at the facility, only 76 (about 13 percent) had criminal convictions and 123 (about 21 percent) had pending criminal charges. Organizer Martin Soto led the strike and was transferred to another facility during escalation. Some detainees had been held for 8 to 12 months. Outside the facility, protesters gathered nightly and clashed with federal police and state troopers in riot gear. ICE responded with chemical agents including pepper spray and pepper balls, armored vehicles, and batons against both detainees and external protesters, with at least 90 arrests of external protesters since May 26. Detainees involved in the strike faced retaliation including solitary confinement and transfers to other facilities. The action was part of at least six concurrent hunger strikes at immigration detention facilities nationwide.

Indian national detained by ICE in New Jersey

Jun 10, 2026Newark, NJIndia

Ubaidullah Abdulrashid Radiowala, an Indian national, was detained by ICE in Newark, New Jersey as part of enforcement operations targeting non-citizens with serious criminal histories. He faced allegations related to attempted murder and extortion and was placed in removal proceedings.

Hundreds protest hunger strike at Newark detention center; senator pepper sprayed, dozens arrested

Jun 8, 2026Newark, NJ

Beginning May 25, 2026, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, to support detainees staging a hunger strike over poor living conditions including moldy and expired food, overcrowded cells, and lack of air conditioning. The 1,000-bed facility, operated by the GEO Group under a $1 billion contract and opened in early 2025, became the site of escalating confrontations over several days. ICE agents and New Jersey State Police deployed pepper spray, tear gas, batons, and horses against demonstrators who formed human chains and used makeshift shields. Senator Andy Kim was exposed to pepper spray, a U.S. military veteran providing medical assistance was detained, and an ICE agent supervisor was filmed pushing a photographer off a public sidewalk. At least 80 people were arrested, with some charged with rioting after authorities imposed a curfew, and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was later charged with assaulting officers. Mayor Ras Baraka announced plans to shut down the facility and to sue the GEO Group, while the state filed a lawsuit seeking unrestricted health inspections.

Man detained by ICE, leaving sister with four young children

Jun 5Manasquan, NJ

Gordo was detained by ICE on June 5. He arrived in the United States at age 13 and has been married to his sister for 8 years. The family now faces financial hardship and emotional trauma as his wife, a stay-at-home mother, cares for their four young children alone, including one recently diagnosed with autism.

Colombian woman severely ill in ICE detention, denied medical care despite hospitalizations

Jun 4, 2026Newark, NJColombia

Laura Yinneth Molano Luque, a 33-year-old Colombian woman, has been detained at Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark and has become severely and violently ill. Despite making multiple requests for medical help over several days, her pleas went unanswered until she fainted and was transferred to the hospital; she fainted again the next day after returning to the facility. According to her attorney's emergency court filing, Molano Luque has since vomited blood, experienced severe and unrelenting pain, and has at times been unable to speak, yet has received no medical assistance beyond antibiotics and has largely been unable to eat. Her case is among over 70 detainees who have filed federal lawsuits alleging medical neglect and deficiencies at Delaney Hall, a 1,000-person facility operated by private prison contractor GEO Group.

Peruvian man strikes ICE agent with car, agent fires; FBI investigates

Jun 4, 2026Manahawkin, NJPeru

ICE agents attempted to arrest Freidrich Castillo-Ormeno, a Peruvian national, on Route 72 near Mermaid Drive in Stafford on Monday morning. The vehicle struck an ICE agent during the encounter, and the agent fired shots at the fleeing car. Castillo-Ormeno remained at large as of Monday evening. The FBI is investigating the incident.

Man from Mexico detained by ICE in Ocean Township targeted operation

Jun 4, 2026Oakhurst, NJMexico

ICE agents detained Elias Cruz-Zarate on June 4, 2026, during a targeted enforcement operation in Oakhurst. According to ICE, Cruz-Zarate is from Mexico and had voluntarily left the United States in 2020 before re-entering. ICE stated he has prior convictions for simple assault.

Brazilian man with rare condition released after five months in solitary confinement at immigration detention facility

Jun 4, 2026Newark, NJBrazil

Emanuel Rodrigues, a Brazilian man with a rare life-threatening condition restricting his mobility, was held in solitary confinement for five months at Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. During his detention, Rodrigues became seriously ill and unable to walk after a fall that he says occurred when a guard prevented him from using crutches. His wife was unable to visit the facility. He was released on June 4, 2026, following advocacy from Rep. Rob Menendez's office, with assistance from a journalist.

Five men arrested by ICE in New Jersey enforcement operation amid Newark protests

Jun 2, 2026Newark, NJEl Salvador

ICE arrested five men during enforcement operations in New Jersey on June 1-2, 2026, amid protests outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark. The arrestees were: Marcos Delacruz from El Salvador, arrested on Friday with prior convictions for sex assault and fraud and an arrest for assault; Success Bounte from Ghana, arrested on Thursday with prior convictions for robbery, burglary, identity theft, and fraud related to illegal use of credit cards; Jose Manuel Rivera-Mes from Guatemala, arrested on Thursday with a prior conviction for voluntary manslaughter and arrests for weapon offenses and possession of a weapon; Ismael Antonio Moreno-Javier from the Dominican Republic, arrested on Thursday with prior arrests for terroristic threats, assault, child neglect, and fraud; and Carlos Javier Llano-Batista from the Dominican Republic, arrested on Thursday with prior arrests for fraud, larceny, burglary, and robbery. All five arrests occurred during the same enforcement operation at the Newark facility.

Salvadoran man arrested in Newark on 1997 removal order after 29 years

Jun 2, 2026Newark, NJEl Salvador

ICE apprehended Marcos Delacruz, a Salvadoran national, in Newark based on a removal order issued by a federal immigration judge in 1997. Delacruz had remained in the United States for nearly three decades despite the active order. The case illustrates ICE's renewed focus under current administration policies on executing long-standing removal orders from the immigration court backlog.

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