NJ governor sends state police to set up protest zone outside contested immigration detention center
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is sending state police to bring order to an immigration detention center in Newark that has been the site of violent demonstrations and arrests in recent days.
The Democrat announced Friday that police will create designated protest zones and set up vehicle checkpoints to regulate traffic outside Delaney Hall. She said the decision comes as clashes between protesters and federal immigration enforcement officials have intensified.
“It has grown unsafe, and that’s completely unacceptable,” Sherrill said at a news conference along with the state attorney general and state police leaders. “Our top priority is public safety, and we need to take this opportunity to lower the temperature.”
Spokespersons for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the GEO Group, the private firm contracted to run the facility, didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
The protests began last Friday after immigrant advocates said detainees inside launched a hu..
