The mayor of Newark announced that the city police will reduce their presence outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center. Delaney Hall, operated by the private prison company GEO Group, has been the site of protests where local, state, and federal officers have encountered demonstrators. These protests have occasionally turned chaotic.

Mayor Ras Baraka stated that the city will not allocate taxpayer funds from its already limited budget to secure a privately-owned facility, particularly when it poses unnecessary risks to officers. Instead, starting Friday, Newark police will focus on traffic management and public safety, ensuring the security of both protesters and motorists.

The involvement of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the New Jersey State Police in the situation remains unclear. State police typically support municipal law enforcement only when requested. Consequently, Newark would need to reach out if assistance was desired. Governor Mikie Sherrill’s spokesman stated that the governor is committed to advocating for humane treatment for the detainees and their families inside Delaney Hall, urging protesters to remain peaceful.

ICE issued a statement ensuring the perimeter around Delaney Hall is fully closed with no rioters breaching this area. ICE operations are undeterred, and those attempting to obstruct law enforcement or disrupt operations will face prosecution.