Crowd protests conditions at ICE detention center in Newark
A small crowd of protesters gathered outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey on Thursday to demonstrate over allegations of poor conditions at the federal immigration detention center.
One woman whose husband was housed inside the center told CBS News New York that a fight broke out during lunch because the detainees had allegedly not been fed for about 20 hours, and then were only given a small amount of food.
"He said, for that reason, a small group of people had started to rile up and started to riot. He said they were breaking things, just trying to get anybody's attention, because they are constantly ignored. I asked my husband what was his role and part in it, and he said, 'I'm hiding. I'm scared for my life,'" the woman said.
Protesters said the detainees were also angry over visitation hours.
CBS News New York reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Newark Police Department, but has not yet heard back.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement, "We are concerned about reports of what has transpired at Delaney Hall this evening, ranging from withholding food and poor treatment, to uprising and escaped detainees."
"This entire situation lacks sufficient oversight of every basic detail — including local zoning laws and fundamental constitutional rights. This is why city officials and our congressional delegation need to be allowed entry to observe and monitor, any why private prisons pose a very real problem to our state and its constitution," the mayor's statement continued.
Congresswoman LaMonica McIver also said in a statement that she was monitoring the situation.
"I have serious concerns about the reports of abusive circumstances at the facility. Even now, as we are hearing reports from news organizations and advocates on the ground about a lack of food and basic rights for those inside, the administration appears to be stonewalling efforts to learn the truth," she wrote in part.
Delaney Hall sparks controversy in Newark
Delaney Hall was the site of a scuffle last month that resulted in Baraka's arrest by ICE agents on federal trespassing charges. Baraka has since filed a lawsuit over the arrest.
The mayor has claimed the 1,000-bed facility opened without the necessary permits and blocked inspections. The Department of Homeland Security has denied those allegations.
Earlier this year, ICE signed a 15-year, $60 million contract with the private prison company, Geo Group, to run Delaney Hall.
McIver was also charged in last month's incident outside the facility and was indicted by a grand jury earlier this week. She said she planned to enter a not guilty plea and called the charges "a brazen attempt at political intimidation."
