New Jersey State Police and federal officers arrested at least two dozen anti-ICE protesters in the early morning hours of Monday June 1, following a week of highly coordinated protests and sustained military style tactics that escalated outside of the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility, officials said.
If you riot, you will face the consequences. Law and order prevails. https://t.co/FQSchSqfz0
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 1, 2026
The arrests capped days of unrest in which demonstrators blocked entrances to the facility, threw objects, set small fires and assaulted officers on horseback.
🚨 UPDATE: ANTIFA leftists VIOLENTLY ATTACKED POLICE HORSES at the anti-ICE riot in NJ, using wood pieces, rocks and makeshift weapons
Lock them up!
Absolutely DISGUSTING
The left doesn’t get their way so they are ABUSING more animals.
We’re up against the scum of the…
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 31, 2026
Authorities also reported incidents in which protesters kicked, bit and punched law enforcement, resulting in injuries.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said a group equipped with helmets, shields and gas masks ignored repeated dispersal orders Sunday night into Monday. State Police described the action as highly coordinated and enforced a curfew within a half-mile radius of the detention facility.
Officials said earlier clashes led to additional arrests, bringing the total over recent days into the dozens. Charges include disorderly conduct, curfew violations, obstructing law enforcement and aggravated assault on officers. Many of those detained were from out of state, authorities noted.
Order prevails.
Rioters will face the full weight of the law. pic.twitter.com/FpHi4iwGwI
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 1, 2026
“Law and order will prevail,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin condemned the violence, saying assaults on officers would not be tolerated.
BREAKING NEWS: New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill uses a press conference to SUPPORT Newark Anti-ICE protests.
This is Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/m9nhYfcFat
— Gregory Lyakhov (@GregoryLyakhov) May 30, 2026
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who defended the police response, doubled down on inflammatory rhetoric, in what many viewed as blaming ICE for the violent outcome of sanctuary policies.
We salute the brave comrades inside #DelaneyHall who are continuing their hunger & work strike for the 9th day. We also salute the community members who are showing up daily in unbreakable solidarity in the face of state violence. We see the collaboration between federal & state… pic.twitter.com/R9eG4PJPZB
— Pal-Awda NY/NJ (@pal_awda) June 1, 2026
The protests have centered on widely disputed allegations of poor conditions inside Delaney Hall, which holds about 1,000 immigration detainees. Activists alleged that detainees were on a hunger strike due to poor conditions.
Warning: explicit language:
MOGGED: @StatusCoup was lying about how horrible the conditions inside Delaney Hall are… but there was just one small issue with his reporting…
I told him I’d be willing to debate him at any time – to which he declined. pic.twitter.com/PBt2m22cWj
— Cam Higby 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) May 30, 2026
ICE, which added another 5,000 criminal illegal aliens to the Worst Of the Worst website this week, said the hunger strike is fake news.
FACT CHECK: there is NO HUNGER STRIKE at Delaney Hall. There are no subprime conditions.
ALL detainees are provided with 3 meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, toiletries, and opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers.
Aliens are… pic.twitter.com/iY8PqL3kYw— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 26, 2026
Separately, ICE has continued targeted operations in New Jersey, arresting violent criminal aliens with orders of removal.
Harol David ARMIJO-Rosales, a citizen of Honduras, convicted of Criminal Sexual Contact (victim less than 13 years of age), Endangering-Abuse/Neglect of a Child by a Non-caretaker and Criminal Trespass. ARMIJO has also been previously convicted of resisting arrest and criminal… pic.twitter.com/JtEP78yMEM
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 12, 2025
Among recent high-priority arrests were individuals with serious convictions, including Harol David Armijo-Rosales, a citizen of Honduras, convicted of criminal sexual contact with a victim less than 13 years of age, child endangerment and abuse/neglect.
🧵Delaney Hall Detention Center houses drug traffickers, pedophiles, gang members, and the WORST OF THE WORST.
While sanctuary politicians are fighting for criminal illegal aliens, our Newark law enforcement are fighting to keep American communities safe.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 12, 2025
Other cases involved convictions for sexual assault of minors and related exploitation offenses, such as the recent arrest of Leonardo Rugerio. Rugerio, an illegal alien from Mexico, was convicted in 2016 for sexually assaulting a child under the age of 12.
Authorities said such enforcement focuses on public safety threats. Court appearances for the arrested protesters are pending. The facility remained operational amid the demonstrations.
