The Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark has been the ground zero of anti-ICE protests and criticism about poor conditions for detainees. Now federal officials and local leadership are clashing over the alleged conditions, with the city of New Jersey suing the detention center over ‘unsanitary’ conditions. White House border czar Tom Homan, however, has pushed back against reports of poor treatment, dismissing them as entirely unfounded. In an interview with CBS News, Homan defended the operations at the facility, which is currently managed by the private contractor GEO Group. He framed the ongoing allegations as a purely political maneuver by those who oppose ICE. Homan stated that during his visit to the center on Saturday, he took the opportunity to sample the food provided to the detainees. He noted that the experience was surprisingly positive, stating, “The spaghetti was good,” and adding, “And I’m a pretty big guy and I didn’t finish the meal. I couldn’t finish the meal.” When asked about the overall quality of the site, he admitted it isn’t a luxury destination, but he maintained that it is a well-run facility. Homan reportedly kept it about the numbers and deferred to Secretary Mullin According to Time, Delaney Hall has become a primary target for protesters who are outraged by the Trump administration’s broader immigration agenda. Local officials and activists are highlighting reports of overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and even allegations of live worms being found in meals. These concerns have fueled the protests since they began on the 22nd of May, leading to clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators. The situation reportedly escalated significantly when federal agents used pepper balls and mace to disperse crowds blocking the facility entrance on Monday, 1st June. The Department of Homeland Security has consistently denied these claims of substandard conditions within the center. However, the recurring nature of the protests suggests that many in the community remain unconvinced by official assurances. When pressed by CBS News' @camiloreports about concerns regarding conditions at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in New Jersey, White House border czar Tom Homan called reports of overcrowding “false.”“It can always improve,” Homan said. “I'm not saying this facility is… pic.twitter.com/CvuGOP1JUg— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 5, 2026 Now, as reported by the BBC, the state of New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against GEO Group, arguing that the private operator has failed to provide state health inspectors with the necessary access to the facility. The state’s legal action specifically cites concerns over unsanitary food preparation and potential issues with tuberculosis infection control. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill noted in a statement, “If the GEO Group – with a $1 billion government contract – has nothing to hide and the conditions inside Delaney Hall are as safe and as sanitary as this private corporation and the Trump Administration claim, then there is no legitimate reason why my health inspectors are being kept from full access throughout the building.” DHS reportedly called the lawsuit “frivolous,” stating that health inspectors had already been given access on the 28th of May, where they inspected the food service department. They stated, “ICE is committed to transparency, and Delaney Hall complies with all required state and local laws.” New Jersey argues that the access was not only “severely limited,” but they were also denied access to the medical unit. The lawsuit demands unfettered access to the facility going forward. Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement outside a New Jersey immigration detention center since late May have become the latest flashpoint for protests against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.https://t.co/lRosUrtWAM— PBS News (@NewsHour) June 6, 2026 Per Time, immigration advocates have reported that a hunger strike began among detainees on May 22, a claim that the DHS has repeatedly rejected. During a cabinet meeting, Secretary Markwayne Mullin addressed the refusal to eat by downplaying the protest, characterizing it as a group of individuals unhappy with their food options rather than a legitimate hunger strike. He remarked, “The fact is, we’re giving them the calories they want. This isn’t Holiday Inn.” Despite this, local representatives like Senator Andy Kim have reported finding troubling conditions during their own visits, including accounts from detainees regarding a lack of proper medical support and legal due process. Homan, for his part, remained focused on the numbers. In the CBS interview, he rejected reports of overcrowding, pointing out that the 1,000-bed facility is currently holding 706 people. He conceded that the facility is not perfect. “It can always improve,” he added. He maintained that the health of the detainees is not at risk. GALLERY | Photos capture chaos during dueling protests at an immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey.Read more: https://t.co/XTQh7EVhqE pic.twitter.com/wMCsCuNzT8— WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) June 7, 2026 Homan was then asked about the possibility of allowing journalists inside to verify these claims. He signaled his support for transparency but deferred to the authority of Secretary Mullin. Interestingly, last year, when these reports kept surfacing, DHS had asked lawmakers to submit inspection requests 72 hours in advance if they wanted to visit detention centers, a move that sparked outrage on Capitol Hill. Additionally, other centers like the Dilley Center in Texas came under scrutiny when a baby developed a severe respiratory illness during his stay.