Women at Delaney Hall ICE detention center join hunger strike

Advocates announced on Thursday that dozens of women held at the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in New Jersey have joined a hunger and labor strike. The women, housed in unit 1 of the privately run center, released a new set of demands. They are calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release women under 21, those with medical conditions, and mothers. They also demand better living conditions and faster adjudication of their immigration cases.

The Delaney Hall facility, operated by private prison company Geo Group, has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts. Last month, over 300 men began a hunger and labor strike, sparking protests and a heavy police response. Now, women have joined the movement.

The strike announcement came one day after President Trump signed a $70 billion spending bill for immigration enforcement, and as immigrants in other detention centers across the U.S. participate in similar strikes. On Thursday morning, advocates, religious leaders, and family members gathered outside Delaney Hall to announce that nearly 40 women were joining the strike. Speakers condemned conditions inside.

“We stand with the women demanding release, safe living conditions, medical care, legal representation, family visitation, safe drinking water and protection from abuse,” said Reverend Archange Antoine of the Clergy Coalition for Liberation. “These are not radical demands – they are rooted in basic human rights.”

ICE and Geo Group have been accused of retaliation against strikers, including canceling family visits, removing communication tablets, and transferring detainees to other facilities. Advocates estimate about 90 people have been transferred this week. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denies a hunger strike is occurring, stating detainees receive three meals a day and medical care. Geo Group did not respond to a request for comment.

During the strike, two 18-year-old women and all pregnant detainees at Delaney Hall were released, which advocates hailed as a win. Other hunger strikes are ongoing at facilities in California, Washington state, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.