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300 detainees at Delaney Hall stage hunger strike over unsafe conditions, face retaliation

May 31, 2026 · Newark, NJ, Guatemala

300 detainees at Delaney Hall stage hunger strike over unsafe conditions, face retaliation

Approximately 300 immigrants detained at Delaney Hall, a privately operated ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, launched a hunger and labor strike beginning May 25, 2026, to protest conditions including spoiled and expired food, inadequate medical care, overcrowding, filthy bathrooms, lack of hot water, and denial of medical treatment. Detainee Elder Guerra, a Guatemalan immigrant, suffered a head injury after slipping in the shower and was placed in isolation rather than receiving proper treatment. Martin Soto, arrested by ICE four months earlier while buying diapers, remained detained despite a judge blocking his removal from the facility. Detainees reported retaliation by facility staff, including beatings, solitary confinement for strikers, and confiscation of personal items. The facility, operated by Community Education Centers, faced scrutiny for a pattern of medical neglect and rights violations, with sustained crowds of protesters gathering outside in solidarity.

Timeline

Jun 30, 2026Detainees ended their strike after facing retaliation from ICE officials
May 31, 2026Detainee Elder Guerra suffered a head injury after slipping in shower and was placed in isolation rather than receiving proper medical treatment
May 31, 2026Detainees reported retaliation from facility staff, including beatings, solitary confinement for strikers, and confiscation of personal items; sustained crowds of protesters gathered outside the facility in solidarity
May 25, 2026Approximately 300 detainees at Delaney Hall launched a hunger and labor strike to protest conditions including spoiled food, inadequate medical care, overcrowding, and lack of hot water

Sources

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