Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has knocked down claims that detainees at a New Jersey immigrant detention facility plagued by violent protests are on a full-fledged hunger strike — instead saying there’s only a “handful” who have refused to eat meals other than their “ethnic” foods.
Mullin had a strong message for the Delaney Hall detainees demanding culturally specific meals and skipping meals they’re given at the Newark facility.
“Well, they can go back to their country, get whatever food they want,” he blasted during a Cabinet meeting with President Trump at the White House. “The fact is, we’re giving them the calories they want. This isn’t Holiday Inn.”
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin sent a strong message to the Delaney Hall detainees demanding culturally specific meals and skipping meals given at the Newark facility that “they can go back to their country.” AFP via Getty ImagesRowdy “rioters” have been protesting outside the detention center for nearly a week after learning of the alleged hunger and labor strike.
Migrants inside reportedly launched the strike last week to protest conditions after allegedly being served tainted food, packed in rooms without air conditioning, and having their immigration cases ignored by federal judges, the New Jersey Monitor reported.
Anti-ICE protests have flared outside the facility since Friday, with tensions boiling over after lefty Garden State pols, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill, joined rabble-rousers during a demonstration on Memorial Day.
“It shows the radical left Democrats’ priorities when they decide to go out and protest a detention center where we’re housing rapists, child predators, murderers, drug dealers – and they choose Memorial Day?” the DHS chief fumed during the cabinet meeting.
Rowdy “rioters” have been protesting outside the detention center for nearly a week after learning of the alleged hunger and labor strike. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki“Of all the times to go protest. But for the Democrats and the governor … to go out and do something like this, of all the days, is frustrating,” Mullin added, claiming that local police are refusing to help.
Protests have grown increasingly violent as demonstrations dragged on into a sixth straight day Wednesday. Two anti-ICE “rioters” were arrested during a violent clash with ICE agents Tuesday night.
Mullin said protesters sprayed federal immigration officers with an unknown chemical substance as masked, keffiyeh-wearing demonstrators faced off with dozens of ICE agents trying to contain the chaos outside the detention center.
The two suspects were arrested for assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal officers.
“Assaulting and obstructing ICE law enforcement is a crime and a felony,” Mullin said on X.
“Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
