Booker Demands DHS Shuts Down Delaney Hall Following Second Congressional Oversight Visit This Year

NEWARK, N.J. — Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, conducted a congressional oversight visit to Delaney Hall, a privately-owned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency detention facility run by GEO Group. During his oversight visit, Booker spoke with dozens of individuals detained at the facility, who described inadequate access to medical care, substandard food, no ability to visit or communicate with their families, and abysmal living conditions. “I believe that most Americans, if they saw who is being held and the conditions under which they’re detained, would agree that this facility is a moral stain on our nation,” said Senator Booker. “In fact, the majority of the people I spoke with have no criminal history–no charges, no convictions–related to the kind of violence Donald Trump promised Americans he would target.” Booker has repeatedly called for the facility’s closure and has introduced and supported legislation to increase oversight and accountability for ICE detention facilities. Earlier this year he introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, which would end the use of private, for-profit immigration detention facilities and strengthen protections for detainees. “I’ll keep demanding Delaney Hall be closed and continue pushing to end the Trump administration’s chaotic and cruel immigration policies. Delaney Hall itself is a moral assault on our state. We should not be giving another dollar to ICE, a lawless and out-of-control agency that has forfeited the public trust,” said Senator Booker. SEE ALSO Booker Announces Legislation Cracking Down on ICE Detention Facilities & Practices Following Tour of Delaney Hall ICYMI: In New Op-Ed, Booker Highlights Call for ICE Accountability, Stands with Roxbury & NJ Communities Opposing ICE Detention Centers Booker Calls for Shutdown of Delaney Hall ICE Facility and Statement on Death of Detainee at Delaney Hall Booker Condemns GEO Group, DHS Mismanagement of Delaney Hall ICE Detention Facility Booker Urges DHS, ICE to Reject New Contract with GEO Group for Immigration Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey