Protests grow outside ICE facility over alleged poor conditions

Detainees at a New Jersey ICE facility began a hunger strike 22 May alleging inhumane conditions with their family members also saying some are not receiving proper medical care.

US Senator Andy Kim and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill joined protesters outside the detention centre, with Kim able to go inside the facility. Kim said in a statement that detainees he spoke with reported poor food and water quality, along with limited access to medical care.

In a written statement, the Department of Homeland Security said that detainees receive “medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care”, according to the BBC’s reporting partner, CBS News.

On Monday, ICE agents used pepper spray to disperse protesters, some of whom threw objects at the agents.