No Answers, No Access: Pou Confronts DHS Chief on Delaney Hall, Airport Threats

Mullin declines to guarantee access to ICE facility or rule out disruptions at Newark Airport days before World Cup begins

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today grilled U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on conditions at ICE’s Delaney Hall facility and Mullin’s threats to shut down international travel into and out of Newark Airport.

“As you know, last week I conducted a visit to Delaney Hall as oversight of a rogue facility that should, in my opinion, be shut down. What I witnessed was shocking… Can you commit to granting to the New Jersey Department of Health full access [Delaney Hall]? Can we get your cooperation?” Pou asked the DHS Secretary.

In response, Secretary Mullin refused to guarantee that health authorities would be granted access to the facility or that deplorable conditions would improve.

Pou also asked about Mullin’s recent threats to halt international travel at Newark Airport as thousands of international travelers prepare to arrive at the airport for the World Cup.

“Today, Mr. Secretary, would you commit to not pulling any customs officers at Newark International Airport?” she said.

Once again, Mullin refused to offer hard assurances on behalf of the Trump administration.

Congresswoman Pou has been fiercely critical of ICE’s treatment of detainees at Delaney Hall. Recently, she conducted an oversight visit at the facility and afterward again condemned conditions there and called for its closure.