Senator Pepper-Sprayed, Governor Denied Entry as Protests Erupt at NJ ICE Facility

Confrontations escalated outside the GEO Group-run Delaney Hall detention center in Newark as roughly 300 detainees entered a multi-day hunger strike over conditions. U.S. Senator Andy Kim said federal agents pepper-sprayed him during a Monday demonstration, and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill was formally denied entry when she sought to inspect the facility. Protesters who tried to block the transfer of hunger-strike organizer Martin Soto said agents used pepper spray and batons; officials confirmed Soto was moved to the Elizabeth contract detention facility.