NEW JERSEY — The Department of Homeland Security denied allegations of inhumane living conditions and detainee mistreatment at the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility. Attorneys representing detainees at Delaney Hall submitted complaints alleging various issues at the facility.

These complaints included claims of spoiled food, overcrowding leading to detainees sleeping on the floor, and delayed medical care for chronic conditions. Delaney Hall is operated by the GEO Group and has a designated capacity of 1,000 detainees.

George Zoley, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of the GEO Group, stated during 2020 congressional testimony that the company does not manage shelters or facilities for unaccompanied minors. Nancy Foner, an immigration historian, commented on the operation of private detention facilities, stating, "It's terrible, I guess it's the power of making a lot of money."

Law enforcement officers and demonstrators have previously clashed outside Delaney Hall during protests concerning U.S. immigration enforcement policies. Selenia Destefani, Executive Director of Nova Law Group, said, "Delaney Hall is not a single problematic facility." Foner said, "He is kind of elevating his own experience and certainly he is willing to have these detention centers with terrible conditions for immigrants who often are arrested without judicial warrants."

Marlon Torres, a 24-year-old Colombian national, was detained at Delaney Hall for three months after attending a scheduled immigration appointment. Maria Hurtado, Torres's 23-year-old wife, visits him at the facility. A corporate statement from the GEO Group indicated that its facility operations are monitored by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other DHS organizations.