Delaney Hall

Delaney Hall
Interactive map of Delaney Hall
Location451 Doremus Avenue
Newark, New Jersey
Coordinates40°42′46.8″N 74°10′22.8″W / 40.713000°N 74.173000°W / 40.713000; -74.173000
StatusOpen
Security classMinimum-Medium
Capacity1196[1][2][3]
Opened2011–2017
2023 (closed)
2025 (re-opened)
Managed byGEO Group

Delaney Hall is a facility used for immigrant detention in Newark, New Jersey. The private prison is managed by GEO Group under contract for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which awarded GEO Group a US$1 billion contract for fifteen years. Delaney Hall previously held immigrant detainees from 2011 to 2017. The facility re-opened in 2025 and has an authorized capacity of up to 1196. It is the largest facility of its type on the East Coast of the United States and the larger two in New Jersey, the other being the Elizabeth Detention Center.[4] Both facilities are located near Newark Liberty International Airport and are used for the entire New York metropolitan area.

Background

The building opened in 2000 and had been used to house federal, state, and county detainees.[5] GEO Group operated the facility from 2011 to 2017, at the time having a 450 capacity for immigrant detainees. It was then used as a drug rehabilitation center and halfway house until 2023, when it was vacated. In 2021 New Jersey passed legislation prohibiting local jails and private facilities from housing immigrant detainees. It was challenged in court and in 2023 the statue was struck down.[2][6]

Reopening and certificate of occupancy

It was announced in February 2025 that the facility would reopen under the management of private prison operator GEO group.[7][8] Soon after, the Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, stated that that GEO Group had not complied with standard municipal building and safety regulations.[9] Newark sued GEO Group in New Jersey Superior Court in March, alleging that the facility did not have a valid certificate of occupancy (CO). In April, the case was transferred to federal court, where a judge was weighing Newark's request to close the facility "pending inspection and compliance with local, State, and administrative codes".[4][10] When it opened in May 2025, CEO Group stated that the CO issued in 2007 was still valid.[11] That assessment is challenged by the city.[12][13]

Incident with government officials

Main article: Newark immigration detention center incident

In May 2025 an altercation took place in which government officials requesting an inspection tour were arrested. Some were later charged.

Unrest and escape of detainees

On June 12, 2025, after days of which detainees had complained of unacceptable conditions and lack of food, a small riot occurred and 4 persons escaped the facility[14] after breaking through a sheet-rock exterior wall.[15][16] Two of the men were found three after three days.[17] The fourth was found on July 18.[18]

Death of detainee Jean Wilson Brutus

In December Jean Wilson Brutus died while in custody at Delaney Hall. According to ICE. "On Dec. 11, 2025, Brutus entered ICE custody. He had no signs of distress during intake nor a medical history of cardiovascular issues." Roughly one day after arriving at Delaney Hall, Brutus suffered a “medical emergency,” ICE said. . He was brought to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead.[19][20][21] The reason for death has been described inconclusive.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.njd.565061/gov.uscourts.njd.565061.1.0_1.pdf
  2. ^ a b Kaulessar, Ricardo (January 28, 2025). "This Newark building could house ICE detainees if it reopens after a lawsuit against NJ". North Jersey Media Group.
  3. ^ https://www.booker.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/6624cblettericedetentionnewark1.pdf
  4. ^ a b Raji, Tobi; Hernández, Arelis (May 10, 2025). "What to know about Delaney Hall, where Newark's mayor was arrested". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  5. ^ https://www.booker.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/6624cblettericedetentionnewark1.pdf
  6. ^ Hulac, Benjamin J. (July 23, 2025). "NJ can't block private immigrant detention centers, judges rule". NJ Spotlight News. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  7. ^ Ferré-Sadurní, Luis; Tully, Tracey (February 27, 2025). "Trump to Reopen 1,000-Bed Detention Center for Migrants in New Jersey". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  8. ^ Nieto-Munoz, Sophie (April 19, 2024). "Private prison company eyes Newark site for new ICE jail". New Jersey Monitor.
  9. ^ Vannozzi, Briana (February 28, 2025). "Newark mayor threatens stop-work order for ICE detention facility". NJ Spotlight News.
  10. ^ Nieto-Munoz, Sophie (April 10, 2025). "Newark lawsuit aims to 'cripple' immigrant enforcement, prison company alleges". New Jersey Monitor.
  11. ^ Nieto-Munoz, Sophie (May 5, 2025). "New migrant jail in Newark begins housing detainees despite legal challenge". New Jersey Monitor.
  12. ^ Strunsky, Steve (May 23, 2025). "After inspection, Newark says violations were addressed at ICE facility". NJ.com. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  13. ^ Duddridge, Natalie (May 5, 2025). "Newark, New Jersey facility begins housing detained migrants, prompting outrage from officials". CBS News. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  14. ^ Ferré-Sadurní, Tracey TullyLuis; Vilchis, Raúl (June 14, 2025). "Inside the Tumult That Led 4 Men to Escape from a Migrant Facility" – via NYTimes.com.
  15. ^ Steve, Strunsky (June 12, 2025). "ICE detainees tear down a wall in uprising at N.J. detention facility, lawyer says". NJ.com. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  16. ^ Lybrand, Zoe Sottile, Priscilla Alvarez, Holmes (June 13, 2025). "4 detainees escaped from a Newark ICE detention facility after advocates say poor conditions led to 'chaos'". CNN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Marcius, Chelsia Rose (June 16, 2025). "2 of 4 Men Who Escaped From Immigration Detention Center Are Caught" – via NYTimes.com.
  18. ^ Deliso, Meredith (July 18, 2025). "4th detainee who escaped from New Jersey ICE facility located in Los Angeles: FBI". ABC News.
  19. ^ Nieto-Munoz, Sophie (February 9, 2026). "Family of NJ migrant who died in federal custody seeks answers". New Jersey Monitor.
  20. ^ "Delaney Hall Detainee Dies in ICE Custody, McIver Demands Accountability | U.S. House Representative LaMonica McIver". mciver.house.gov. December 19, 2025.
  21. ^ Rohrlich, Justin (January 27, 2026). "Family of 'perfectly healthy' asylum-seeker who died in ICE custody demand answers". The Independent.
  22. ^ Cayemitte, Fredner (January 14, 2026). "Family of Haitian man who died in ICE custody seeks own autopsy". The Haitian Times.
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