1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

Detainees at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, NJ, are staging a massive hunger and labor strike to protest harsh living conditions and a lack of medical care. ICE agents at this camp continue to defy court orders by transfering detainees out of state, continue to wear masks against state law, and continue to escalate confrontation with protesters, including using chemical weapons against them. Just today, Senator Andy Kim was witness to such escalation and was pepper sprayed as he tried to descalate the situation. This detention center is currently imprisoning 300 people. Among the major issues are widespread reports of spoiled food, rotten meals, and severe deprivation. Advocates and lawmakers who have inspected the facility also cite severe overcrowding, unsanitary cells, freezing temperatures, and a lack of basic bedding. Community health advocates have found traces of lead and heavy metals in tap water, raising alarms over potential organ damage and illnesses reported by detainees. In addition, detainees are being denied medical treatment, including instances of inadequate prenatal care and untreated medical emergencies. This is unacceptable! The companies running detention camps rake in huge amounts of our tax dollars in the form of federal contracts. They are paid to provide sanitary conditions, adequate space for the number of people they imprison, medical care as needed for each person, clean, safe drinking water, and plenty of food that is not spoiled! Enough is enough! These are human beings. They are no different than you. They are no different than your family and friends. Quit allowing them to be treated like animals and close this center immediately!