NEWARK, N.J. (Essex County) — Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Monday she was denied the opportunity to speak directly with detainees during a recent visit to the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility, calling the limited access “unacceptable” and renewing calls for greater transparency and oversight.
In a statement, Sherrill said she had been seeking access to the facility for weeks before being allowed to enter. However, she described the visit as a “closely controlled and limited tour” that did not permit direct interaction with detainees.
“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 said.
The governor said she intends to continue pressing for direct access to detainees and greater public transparency regarding conditions inside the facility.
Sherrill also outlined several ongoing efforts by her administration related to immigration detention and oversight, including a lawsuit seeking access for the New Jersey Department of Health to inspect Delaney Hall, opposition to a proposed detention facility in Roxbury and litigation concerning the identification of law enforcement officers while on duty.
The governor said she would continue advocating for what she described as humane treatment of detainees and their families and reiterated her support for ultimately closing the facility.
