Federal authorities arrested two individuals outside the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Newark, New Jersey, on Tuesday night. The arrests followed clashes between anti-ICE protesters and federal agents, during which protesters allegedly sprayed law enforcement with an unknown chemical substance. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin identified the individuals as "anti-ICE rioters" and stated they were charged with assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal officers.
The arrests occurred amid ongoing tensions outside the privately run detention facility, where protesters have gathered for days. The clashes were captured on video, showing federal agents deploying pepper spray and batons to disperse the crowd. Some protesters were seen blocking vehicles from leaving the facility.
The protests follow reports of a hunger and labor strike inside the facility, which DHS disputes. In a statement, DHS denied the existence of a hunger strike and claimed detainees receive adequate food, healthcare, and living conditions. "All detainees are provided with three meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, toiletries, and opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers," the department said. "Aliens are also provided comprehensive healthcare, including medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care."
Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) was among those present during the clashes and was reportedly pepper-sprayed by federal agents. The protests have intensified over allegations of poor treatment of detainees, though DHS maintains there are no substandard conditions at the facility.