The governor of New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill, reported that she finally managed to enter the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, although she denounced that federal authorities prevented her from meeting or speaking directly with the people held in the facility.

The visit occurs amid growing controversy over conditions inside the immigration center, run for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE), and after weeks of protests by activists, family members and local leaders.

In a statement, Sherrill stated that the tour was limited and carefully controlled by the authorities responsible for the facility. "After weeks of obstacles, I was finally allowed access to Delaney Hall, but what I received was a controlled, restricted and carefully made-up tour. That is completely unacceptable," said the state president.

The governor maintained that the refusal to allow her to speak with the detainees raises doubts about the real conditions inside the center and the treatment received by people in immigration custody.

Complaints persist about detention conditions

Delaney Hall has become the center of a political and legal dispute in New Jersey in recent weeks. Various immigrant advocacy groups have denounced alleged inadequate conditions inside the facility, accusations that the United States Department of Homeland Security has rejected.

Part of the questions arose after a group of detainees began a hunger strike to denounce what they described as inhumane prison conditions.

During the weekend, new clashes between protesters and federal agents were also reported in the vicinity of the center. According to police reports cited by local media, at least five people were arrested during the incidents.

According to an ICE spokeswoman, Sherrill's visit included areas such as the library, medical unit, kitchen, cafeteria, visiting rooms and two housing modules for men. However, the governor insisted that access was insufficient due to the impossibility of having private conversations with detained immigrants.

Sherrill also reiterated his support for the legal actions taken by the state Attorney General's Office so that the Department of Health has full access to the facility and can conduct independent inspections.

New Jersey expands legal support for immigrants

The governor's visit coincides with new measures promoted by the state administration to reinforce legal assistance to immigrants facing detention or deportation processes. Recently, the state government announced an investment of $20.2 million to fully fund the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative, a program that provides legal representation to low-income residents.

State Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz praised the decision and stated that it will significantly expand access to legal defense for hundreds of immigrants. Ruiz maintained that many people face complex immigration procedures without adequate representation and highlighted that the financing will help ensure that their cases are heard in court.

For his part, Sherrill reiterated his opposition to the opening of new detention centers in the state, defended measures so that ICE agents act fully identified and reaffirmed his objective of achieving the definitive closure of Delaney Hall.

Meanwhile, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka maintains his legal offensive against the detention center and has asked the courts to evaluate its closure, citing alleged violations of municipal and state regulations by the operating company, GEO Group.