Delaney Hall Set to Reopen as ICE's Largest Detention Center in Newark

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Key Takeaways

• Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, NJ will reopen in Spring 2025, with a 1,200-bed capacity near Newark Airport.
• ICE has partnered with GEO Group through a 15-year contract, despite ongoing legal battles on detention facility laws in New Jersey.
• Community opposition highlights concerns over increased raids, detainee health risks, and local impacts, with advocacy for alternatives to detention.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to reopen a large immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, in the spring of 2025. Known as Delaney Hall, this facility served a similar role from 2011 to 2017 and is now being revived under efforts by the current administration to expand immigration enforcement. This development has sparked significant debate and concern across political, community, and advocacy circles.

A Facility Set to Transform Immigration Detention in the Region

Delaney Hall Set to Reopen as ICE’s Largest Detention Center in Newark

Delaney Hall is strategically located near Newark Liberty International Airport ✈️, a key hub for transportation and logistics. The facility will have the capacity to hold over 1,000 individuals, making it the largest immigration detention center in the region. By comparison, the nearby Elizabeth Detention Facility, also in New Jersey, holds just around 200 people. ICE has stated that the increased capacity at Delaney Hall will support its growing enforcement and deportation operations in the area. The location near an international airport is expected to ease logistical challenges and speed up deportation procedures.

This expansion is part of ICE’s broader efforts to handle rising enforcement needs. By reopening Delaney Hall, the agency aims to enhance its ability to detain and process individuals efficiently. The reopening marks a shift in the infrastructure that supports federal immigration enforcement in the northeast United States.

Long-Term Contract with Private Operator Raises Concerns

ICE announced on February 27, 2025, that Delaney Hall will reopen through a partnership with GEO Group, one of the largest private prison operators in the country. The proposed contract with GEO Group is expected to last 15 years, signaling a long-term commitment to the use of private detention facilities. Contracts like these are often controversial, as critics question the role of profit-making companies in systems that impact individuals’ lives so profoundly.

This partnership renews debates about private companies’ place in the justice and immigration systems. GEO Group also faces another layer of scrutiny due to its ongoing lawsuit against New Jersey officials. The company is challenging a 2021 state law that aimed to ban both public and private facilities from entering into contracts for immigrant detention. While parts of this law were declared unconstitutional in 2023, legal battles continue to unfold, adding further complexity to the situation.

Political Figures and Community Leaders Speak Out

The reopening of Delaney Hall has met widespread opposition from political leaders in New Jersey 🇺🇸. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), former Senator Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D-N.J.) have been vocal in their criticism of the facility. One of their main arguments is that private companies like GEO Group should not play such a significant role in the immigration detention system. Several candidates who ran to represent New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District have also spoken out against the facility.

Advocacy groups like the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice are equally concerned, calling the decision to reopen the facility a “setback” for the state. Community organizers, public educators, and religious leaders are working together to prepare Newark residents for the impact this change might bring. They’re advocating for alternatives to detention and are committed to supporting immigrant families who may be affected.

Potential Impact on Newark and Beyond

The reopening of Delaney Hall raises several questions about how the facility will impact the Newark community and neighboring areas. Here are some key concerns:

Increased ICE Enforcement: With Delaney Hall offering 1,200 beds, there are worries that the facility could lead to more frequent immigration raids and arrests in New Jersey communities. This would likely heighten fear and uncertainty among immigrants living in the region.
Economic Arguments Under Scrutiny: While proponents suggest the facility might contribute to local economic growth, many critics say any benefits are outweighed by the societal and moral costs. The label of “extractive industry” has been used by activists, highlighting concerns that profits from immigrant detention may come at the expense of the local community.
Environmental Risks: Delaney Hall is located in an area nicknamed “The Chemical Corridor” due to nearby industrial hazards. Issues like flooding, storms, and inadequate environmental protections have sparked additional concerns about the safety and sustainability of reopening the facility.
Community Division and Fear: Critics argue that the reopening could disrupt Newark’s sense of community, as families may fear detentions and deportations. Everyday activities like attending school or going to work could become fraught with anxiety for many residents.
Health Risks in Detention: Studies by groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have shown troubling conditions in some ICE facilities, with preventable health issues often arising. Activists warn that reopening Delaney Hall could put detainees at risk of both physical and mental harm.

Broader Immigration Debate Shapes the Reopening

The decision to reopen Delaney Hall comes during a pivotal moment for immigration policy nationwide. Immigration remains a high-priority topic for many Americans. According to a recent poll by Pew Research Center, 61 percent of Americans want the federal government to take significant action on immigration policy. Interest in immigration topics has risen in both major political parties since the last few elections, highlighting the topic’s increasing importance in national debates.

ICE’s move to increase detention capacity reflects broader trends. The agency’s funding levels and average daily detainee population have grown steadily in recent years. For example, the daily average of detained individuals rose from 28,000 in 2023 to over 37,500 by mid-2024. Critics argue that this increase in detention numbers further underscores the importance of addressing systemic issues in how the U.S. handles immigration.

What’s Next?

Legal challenges could still impact the scheduled reopening of Delaney Hall. GEO Group’s lawsuit against New Jersey officials is now before Judge Robert Kirsch, the same judge who ruled against parts of the state’s 2021 anti-detention law. If the case clears the way for GEO Group’s contract with ICE, it provides a clearer path for the facility’s long-term operation. However, if the courts rule differently, the reopening might face additional delays or even cancellation.

Until then, community organizations remain active, educating residents about their rights and connecting families to resources that can help those detained. Advocacy groups are also stepping up their campaigns to push for alternatives to detention, including community-based supervision programs that prioritize humane treatment over incarceration.

As ICE prepares for the facility’s reopening, it must navigate both local and national challenges. The decision to bring Delaney Hall back into operation has highlighted ongoing tensions in how the U.S. balances immigration enforcement with concerns over human rights, community impact, and governance. How these tensions are resolved will affect not just Newark but also the broader discourse on immigration in the United States.

For official information about ICE detention facilities, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website. Analysis from VisaVerge.com emphasizes the importance of monitoring these developments as they unfold, given their potential to shape both local and national policies.

The reopening of Delaney Hall is more than just the revival of a facility; it is a major symbol of the challenges and disagreements inherent in the U.S. immigration system. Will this decision lead to meaningful reform or deepen existing divides? The answer remains uncertain as spring 2025 approaches.

Learn Today

Immigration Detention Facility → A secure location where non-citizens are held temporarily while awaiting immigration proceedings or deportation.
Private Detention Operator → A for-profit company contracted to administer and manage facilities used for detaining individuals under government policies.
Advocacy Groups → Organizations that work to influence public policy and support communities affected by specific social or political issues.
Deportation Operations → Processes carried out to remove non-citizens from a country, typically for violating immigration laws.
Community-Based Supervision Programs → Alternatives to detention focusing on humane treatment, allowing individuals to remain in their communities under minimal oversight.

This Article in a Nutshell

The reopening of Newark’s Delaney Hall in 2025 reignites fierce debates. With 1,200 detention beds near an international airport, it symbolizes ICE’s growing enforcement focus. Critics highlight potential community harm, private profits, and human rights concerns. As legal battles continue, Delaney Hall’s revival underscores the nation’s contentious immigration policies and their profound local impact.
— By VisaVerge.com