ICE protest press conference addresses Delaney Hall detainments amid hunger strike

A press conference as part of a protest against an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey alleged retaliatory efforts by authorities. Detainees at Delaney Hall are staging a hunger strike over alleged poor conditions, delayed medical care.

Among the press conference speakers was Gabriela Soto, wife of detainee Martin Soto, who said her husband was among more than 300 detainees participating across the facility. She said he was singled out and physically forced into a van after being told he was being released.

"They are trying to shut down our freedom of speech, and that is our constitutional right," she said.

A letter attributed to detainees demanded release on bond or parole, faster immigration proceedings and improved conditions. It accused GEO Group, the company operating the facility, and ICE of failing to provide adequate food, sanitation, ventilation and medical care.

U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat said they "were informed that 13 of them were moved out since the hunger strike began, that there is repercussion and there is retaliation for people in the hunger strike."