White House border czar Tom Homan made an unannounced visit to the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark on the weekend, walking into the cafeteria and eating the same meal served to detainees.
The move directly contradicts claims that the facility operates as a “dungeon.” A video posted online showed Homan’s actions.
Meanwhile, Congressman Jeff Van Drew also toured the facility and reported seeing facilities that starkly differ from the public narrative. His findings include on-site doctors, nurses, dentists, a law library, a regular library, a gym, and a soccer field. Van Drew noted that meals are prepared for allergies, kosher requirements, religious needs, and medical restrictions.
“So let’s stop pretending this is about conditions,” Van Drew wrote.
The Department of Homeland Security has consistently pushed back against the narrative with official statements emphasizing that all detainees receive three meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, toiletries, opportunities to communicate with family and lawyers, comprehensive healthcare, and a variety of meal options including fajitas, burritos, jambalaya, fruit, vegetables, salads, brownies, and cake.
DHS officials stressed that no hunger strike occurs at Delaney Hall and that all detainees are provided full due process and comprehensive medical care. They also noted that every individual held at the facility has broken U.S. law by entering the country illegally.