A public dispute erupted after Gov. Mikie Sherrill criticized restrictions placed on her tour of Delaney Hall, prompting a sharp response from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
NEWARK — A growing battle over conditions at Newark’s Delaney Hall immigration detention facility intensified after Gov. Mikie Sherrill publicly criticized federal officials for limiting access during a recent tour, drawing a forceful response from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
The exchange comes amid ongoing legal and political fights over Delaney Hall, which has become a flashpoint in New Jersey’s debate over immigration detention and federal enforcement policies.
Key Points
• Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she was denied direct access to detainees during a tour of Delaney Hall.
• DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin responded that Sherrill was informed beforehand that detainee interviews would not be permitted.
• The dispute highlights broader conflicts between New Jersey officials and the federal government over the detention facility.
Sherrill said she was granted access to Delaney Hall only after weeks of requests but described the visit as a “closely controlled and limited tour.”
“I was not allowed to meet or speak directly with the detainees, which continues to raise serious questions about the real conditions of the facility and the treatment of those held there,” Sherrill wrote on social media.
The governor said she plans to continue pressing for direct access to detainees and greater transparency regarding conditions inside the facility.
Governor vows continued legal fight
In a second statement, Sherrill said her administration would continue pursuing legal action aimed at securing access for state health inspectors and challenging federal policies surrounding detention operations.
The governor cited ongoing litigation led by Attorney General Matt Platkin and efforts to block construction of a proposed immigration detention facility in Roxbury.
She also referenced New Jersey’s court fight over whether law enforcement officers may conceal their identities while performing official duties.
“I will continue advocating for humane treatment at Delaney Hall for detainees and their families, and ultimately to close the facility for good,” Sherrill said.
DHS secretary pushes back
Mullin responded directly to the governor’s comments, saying he personally approved her visit despite what he described as a lack of federal oversight authority.
“On June 8th, I personally granted you access to the facility as an act of good faith — despite you having exactly ZERO federal oversight authority,” Mullin wrote.
The secretary disputed Sherrill’s criticism of the tour and said she was informed before entering the facility that she would not be permitted to speak directly with detainees.
“You were told BEFORE you went in you would not have the ability to speak to detainees. This is a federal facility, Governor. You are NOT federally elected,” Mullin wrote.
Debate shifts to detention conditions
Mullin also challenged criticism of conditions at Delaney Hall, arguing the facility compares favorably to New Jersey’s state correctional institutions.
According to the secretary, Delaney Hall maintains twice as many medical personnel per detainee and provides significantly more space than New Jersey state prisons.
He further claimed detainees are less likely to die in federal custody at Delaney Hall than inmates housed in New Jersey’s correctional system.
Neither side provided supporting data within their social media statements, and the competing claims could not be independently verified.
Delaney Hall remains political flashpoint
The dispute marks the latest chapter in a months-long controversy surrounding Delaney Hall, a privately operated immigration detention center in Newark.
The facility has been the subject of protests, lawsuits, political demonstrations and repeated criticism from immigration advocates who have sought increased oversight and transparency.
Federal officials have defended operations at the facility, while New Jersey officials continue to challenge aspects of its operation through litigation and public advocacy.
As legal battles continue, Delaney Hall remains at the center of a broader national debate over immigration detention, federal authority and state oversight.