New Jersey Democrats Hold Delaney Hall Field Hearing

NEWARK, NJ - Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today joined her colleague in the state delegation in leading a field hearing at Delaney Hall to draw more attention to the deplorable conditions at the ICE facility in the heart of New Jersey's largest city.

Members attending the field hearing include Congresswoman Pou, Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), and Congressmembers LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Analilia Mejia (D-NJ-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Rob Menendez (D-NJ-08), and Al Green (D-TX-9).

"The Trump administration keeps finding ways to block Congress's oversight of Delaney Hall, but as our hearing today demonstrated, we will not be intimidated," said Congresswoman Pou. "I thank the witnesses for their testimony and commend the courage, bravery, and resilience of detainees collectively raising their voices, demanding humane conditions, and respect for their rights at Delaney Hall. This facility should be closed. No more tax dollars flowing to a for-profit company profiting on the misery and suffering of our neighbors. Enough is enough."

Congresswoman Pou has conducted multiple oversight visits and inspections of Delaney Hall. During those visits, she has spoken directly with detainees and reviewed reports about conditions inside the facility.

Last week, Congresswoman Pou offered a series of seven amendments to the Senate-passed immigration reconciliation bill to increase accountability and protect the FIFA World Cup kicking off this week. Pou's amendments were aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in immigration detention facilities, protecting religious liberty and due process, safeguarding staffing levels at international airports, and preventing civil immigration enforcement activities at World Cup events across the United States. All were blocked from consideration by House Republicans.

During this field hearing and past visits, members of Congress have repeatedly raised concerns regarding medical care, sanitation, language access, religious accommodations, transparency, and detainee treatment at the facility.

Lawmakers today also sought answers regarding reports of a detainee hunger strike and the death of Jean Wilson Brutus shortly after being detained at Delaney Hall.

With the FIFA World Cup underway in New Jersey, Congresswoman Pou has warned that immigration raids and enforcement actions could discourage attendance, undermine public confidence, and harm the success of the tournament.

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