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NEWARK, NJ – Chaotic scenes flared Thursday outside Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center as anti-ICE activists clashed with federal agents amid tensions over immigration enforcement and conditions inside.
The crowd of protesters had swelled to more than 100 by 8pm local time, as clashes erupted as unmarked government vehicles entered the facility.
While ICE agents appeared to be swinging the fulcrum, other protesters refused to budge — including one man who was dragged to the ground and handcuffed just feet from the Fox News Digital booth.
An ICE agent could not confirm or deny that an illegal detention of a suspect indicates possible criminal charges.
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People gathered outside Delaney Hall on Thursday in Newark, NJ (Charles Creitz/Fox News Digital)
The clashes at the private facility – which activists believe holds around 900 prisoners – come after days of protests, political tensions and clashes between protesters and state authorities.
New Jersey Democrats, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Sen. Andy Kim, criticized conditions at Delaney Hall, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused lawmakers and activists of fueling the unrest and undermining ICE operations.
On Thursday evening, protesters blocked the roads around the facility as federal agents moved in and out of the area.
At one point, an unmarked federal vehicle drove through the crowd, prompting a female protester to accuse ICE of trying to beat female protesters.
One man was seen detained during the riots. When asked if the detention would lead to criminal charges, one ICE agent replied that he “can’t be sure,” though he said it politely, according to reports.
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In another disturbance on Thursday, his shirt was thrown to the ground with his shirt and another was pushed from a truck that was stuck in the carnage.
The four characters were filled for a long time and even the child and his father were swearing at the car parked outside the center.
The police force has also been reduced, in line with Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s position against helping immigrants.
Instead, an old lady with a sign written on the back of a CostCo box is repeatedly telling drivers to slow down enough as they try to get through the crowd.
Earlier this week, Sherrill and several members of Congress attempted to enter the facility after reports that other inmates had begun a hunger strike.
Sherrill was denied access and has called for the detention center to be closed.
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On Monday, protesters blocked the entrance by linking arms, sitting on the sidewalks and forming a human chain to prevent ICE from entering or exiting the building.
Tensions flared again after Kim was hit with pepper-ball spray during a protest.
According to the Associated Press, DHS said at least six protesters were arrested on Wednesday.
DHS said those arrests stemmed from allegations that protesters assaulted law enforcement.
A crowd gathers outside Delaney Hall during a protest Thursday in Newark, NJ (Charles Creitz/Fox News Digital)
The uproar came as Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday unveiled new statewide guidelines detailing how schools, child care providers, colleges, health centers and places of worship should respond to dealings with state immigration authorities.
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Speaking at a press conference at the State House in Boston, he said the guidance was to help organizations in the state protect access to services, understand their legal rights and prepare employees in case US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrives in the area.
“We will not allow violent riots to delay ICE. Law and order will be restored. There is no hunger strike at Delaney Hall at this time,” the DHS statement said.
