Senator Kim Gains Access to Delaney Hall, Governor Denied, Martin Soto Transferred to Elizabeth, Congresspeople Say
NEWARK - Officials inside Delaney Hall told New Jersey's visiting Congressional delegation that they transferred detainee Martin Soto to the Elizabeth Contract detention Facility.
WATCH THAT HERE:
Soto's wife, Gabriela, received the news from U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) as the congressman alighted outside the barbed wire front gate with his colleagues, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver and U.S. Rep. Analilia Mejia.
The congresspeople and Gabriela Soto immediately hastened to their vehicles to go to Elizabeth to confirm Martin Soto's status.
Moments earlier, U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) finally gained access to the compound after speaking to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullen.
For more InsiderNJ context, GO HERE.
Governor Mikie Sherrill also came to Delaney Hall this morning.
Context, by way of Christine Sloan of CBS News:
Protesters began gathering outside Delaney Hall on Friday, alleging detainees are enduring horrible conditions.
Sherrill arrived Monday after releasing a statement saying she was "deeply disturbed by reports of the poor conditions."
"I'll continue to work to go in, but at the same time, I think this really brings to light why the state has been fighting so hard, because this type of facility shows exactly why we should not have private mass detention facilities," she said.
[THE FULL!] Statement by Governor Sherrill on Visit to Delaney Hall |
| NEWARK - Governor Mikie Sherrill released the following statement after visiting Delaney Hall. She is the first sitting Governor to visit the facility.
"My request for access to Delaney Hall was formally denied this morning, raising serious questions about what they are trying to hide from public view. "I have long opposed private detention facilities and will continue to advocate for the closure of Delaney Hall and against any expansion of mass detention facilities in New Jersey, like the proposed facility in Roxbury. "I came today to hear from families and advocates, and what I heard from them was heartbreaking. "I will continue to hold ICE accountable, and I remain grateful for the work of our federal delegation, including Senator Kim and Representatives Menendez, Pou, McIver, and Mejia, who joined me today. They have been tireless in using their federal oversight authority to bring accountability to the facility. I will continue working closely with them to demand answers, protect constitutional rights, and ensure humane conditions. "The people inside Delaney Hall are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and members of our community. In New Jersey, we believe in the rule of law and that everyone deserves to be treated with basic dignity. We have a duty to safeguard the rights, health, and well-being of everyone within our borders." Below, WATCH Nedia Morsy, Executive Director of Make the Road New Jersey, Ana Maria Hill, State Director of 32BJ SEIU, and the Rev. George Dredden: |
