It’s not uncommon to see politicians pull political stunts ahead of major elections, and there can be no mistaking the motivation of the flurry of New Jersey Democrats who flooded to an immigration detention center in the state in “support” of an alleged hunger strike with just months to go before the midterms.
But for those who prefer facts over histrionics, it’s important to get some things clear.
Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed facility, was re-opened last year and immediately drew outrage from Democrats keen to capitalize on broader left-wing opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka thrust himself into the spotlight at that time, conveniently as he was campaigning to be the state’s next governor.
The complaints made now by New Jersey officials including Sen. Andy Kim and Gov. Mikie Sherrill as well as the dozens of protesters who they joined, were made last year — a blend of baseless claims about conditions and general anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rhetoric.
But where were these complaints during the Obama administration, as the same facility operated as an ICE Processing Center from 2011-2017 with minimal Democratic outcry, unannounced or approved visits for “compliance.” No mayors, and no senators. This is merely a political stunt.
Some have pointed to the death of an inmate in December from natural causes. But, as tragic as the death of any inmate is in custody, 336 people died in New Jersey state correctional facilities between 2018 and 2024, an average of 48 people per year (41 per year if COVID-related deaths are excluded.)
Of those, 83% were natural deaths, and 17% were from an accident, injury or violent act. For additional context, there were 33 deaths in ICE facilities nationwide in 2025, far fewer than the average numbers of deaths in NJ correctional facilities alone.
But have there been protests outside New Jersey correctional facilities? Where are the “abolish prison” protesters? Has the governor and senator been banging on the doors demanding access? Of course not.
Additionally, this furor ignores how New Jersey happily brings in millions of federal taxpayer dollars from its own housing of illegal aliens. New Jersey received over $4 million in fiscal year 2024 alone to pay for illegal aliens in New Jersey Department of Corrections custody. The state overall received nearly $5.8 million under the program — the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), which reimburses states for costs for incarcerating criminal illegal aliens.
These stats are worth bearing in mind when you see New Jersey politicians peddling abolitionist talking points about ICE facilities.
Additionally, it’s worth considering the economic benefits that the state receives due to Delaney Hall. There are some 300 workers employed at the facility, with good union jobs, and the opening of Delaney Hall was estimated to bring $50 million per year in economic activity.
This is in addition to the claims made about conditions at Delaney Hall, which some politicians have incorrectly described as “torture.” But as ICE itself has noted, ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons, including those in New Jersey.
Detainees are provided with three meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, access to communications with lawyers and other benefits. Claims of these facilities being somehow inhumane are based on nothing but speculation and falsehood.
New Jersey politicians may be eager to snag a quick political photo-op as they gear up for a midterm battle this November, but responsible public service includes stating the facts about what is actually happening — as well as being consistent in your outrage.
New Jersey Democrats, by that standard, are doing a disservice to brave ICE staff and to their own constituents.
Scott Mechkowski is a retired Deputy Field Office Director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York. He now serves on the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE) advisory board and is a visiting fellow at The Oversight Project.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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