NEWARK, N.J. – Federal officials say a violent confrontation outside the immigration detention facility at Delaney Hall on Sunday forced officers to deploy crowd-control measures after protesters allegedly blocked law enforcement vehicles from leaving the property.
According to a statement released by the United States Department of Homeland Security, rioters refused repeated lawful orders to clear an exit route at the ICE facility on May 25, 2026, creating what officials described as a dangerous and unlawful situation.
DHS said officers issued “multiple lawful verbal commands” for demonstrators to move before taking action. When the crowd allegedly continued obstructing federal officers, law enforcement responded “with the minimum amount of force necessary” to protect officers, the public, and federal property.
The department also pushed back on claims circulating online that protesters were directly struck by pepper ball projectiles. DHS stated that “no individuals were directly struck” during the incident.
The clash unfolded outside the Newark detention center amid growing protests over federal immigration enforcement operations in New Jersey and across the country. Social media footage cropped up over Monday night into Tuesday morning of clashes near facility gates as demonstrators confronted officers attempting to move vehicles through the area.
Federal officials drew a sharp distinction between protected protest activity and what they characterized as criminal conduct.
“The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly — not rioting,” DHS said in its statement, adding that the agency would continue taking “appropriate and constitutional measures” to enforce the law and protect officers.
Authorities also warned that interfering with federal law enforcement operations can carry serious legal consequences. DHS reminded the public that obstructing law enforcement is a federal crime and that assaulting officers constitutes a felony offense.
The incident is likely to intensify an already heated political debate in New Jersey over immigration enforcement, public demonstrations, and the role of federal detention facilities operating within the state.
As of Monday morning, officials had not announced any arrests or injuries connected to the disturbance.
No individuals were directly struck by pepper ball projectiles.
On May 25, 2026, rioters obstructed law enforcement from exiting the ICE facility. Officers issued multiple lawful verbal commands for rioters to clear the area. Rioters refused to follow law enforcement commands… https://t.co/gNACHGgItm
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 26, 2026
