Newark Threatens Expanded GEO Group Lawsuit Over Delaney Hall Access; Curfew Holds Under Newark Police Command on Day 2 of Venturella's Tenure

On June 2, 2026, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka held a morning press conference threatening to expand the city's lawsuit against GEO Group — the private operator of Delaney Hall ICE detention facility — unless city officials are granted inspection access to the 1,000-bed facility. 'GEO is a private company who is hiding under the auspices of a contract that they have with the federal government,' Baraka said, noting that as a private company GEO is subject to state and municipal laws, not only federal contracts. Newark Police had assumed command from the New Jersey State Police that Governor Sherrill had deployed at the facility — a decision that drew criticism from protest organizers — and the overnight curfew (9 p.m.–6 a.m., half-mile radius) remained in force. Mayor Baraka said he hoped to lift the curfew 'as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday night' after Monday night passed without the major clashes seen Sunday — when 46 people were arrested and NJ State Police deployed mounted officers and tear gas against protesters who lit tires on fire. Protests began approximately 10 days earlier after detainees inside launched a hunger and work strike over alleged conditions: maggot-infested food, inadequate medical care, small portions, and non-functioning toilets. The facility holds approximately 300 detainees against a stated capacity of 1,000. Acting ICE Director David Venturella — himself a former senior GEO Group executive who oversaw ICE detention contracts at DHS prior to his June 1 appointment — entered his second day as ICE director while the city where his former employer's most controversy-surrounded facility operates threatened expanded legal action. Border Czar Tom Homan had visited Delaney Hall the previous weekend, ate the detainee meal, declared it 'good,' and warned NJ Governor Sherrill the facility 'isn't going anywhere.'