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House panel clashes over Delaney Hall conditions amid accounts of detainee mistreatment

July 22, 2026 · 1 min read

A House Judiciary subcommittee hearing Wednesday on the Delaney Hall ICE detention center highlighted sharply differing views over the treatment of detainees, with Republicans rejecting allegations of abuse and Democrats pointing to reports of inadequate medical care, poor sanitation, and deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

The hearing, titled “ False Narratives: Exposing the Truth About ICE Detention Facilities, ” focused on conditions at Delaney Hall, an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, operated by the GEO Group under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The facility reopened in 2025 after the Trump administration expanded detention capacity to support increased immigration enforcement.

Fifty‑four people have died in ICE custody since the start of fiscal 2025, which is 125% more detainee deaths than occurred during all four previous fiscal years combined (24 deaths), according to ICE detainee death reporting data .

Republicans defend Delaney Hall Subcommittee Chair Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, R-New Jersey, said: “We’re here today because of a narrative that has been told over and over again for weeks… that…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Тарас Шевчук

I wonder why there are so many deaths in Delaney Hall - 54 this year compared to 24 in the previous four years combined. These are not just numbers, people are sitting there, and medical care, judging by the Democrats, is clearly not up to par. Were those complaints about sanitation and treatment independently verified, or does it all boil down to politics?

Светлана Андреева

And these numbers, 54 deaths in one year versus 24 in the previous four, are scary. I wonder if there was a real independent audit of complaints about doctors and cleaning, or if it all comes down to Republicans saying a “false narrative” and Democrats saying “horror.” I would like facts, not just politics.

Галина Панченко

It's interesting that you mentioned exactly those figures of 54 deaths. But the article clearly states that the center was restored only in 2025 under the new expansion policy, so the comparison with the previous four years is a little crooked - it simply did not exist before. As for the independent verification of sanitation and treatment, it would be interesting to hear who exactly should do it so that everyone believes.

Світлана Мороз

Galina, you are right that the center was launched only in 2025, so a direct comparison with previous years is really not entirely fair. But 54 deaths in one year still sounds alarming, regardless of when the facility opened. And who do you think could conduct such a review that it would be difficult for both Democrats and Republicans to brush aside?

Сергій Шевченко

It is interesting that you paid attention to these numbers, Taras. However, the center was closed for several years, and was opened only last year under a new load - that's why the comparison with previous years is not quite equal. And as for the independent verification - did any of our parliamentarians go there personally, or is it all based on reports?

Екатерина Андреева

Yes, these numbers are really alarming, especially when we are talking about people in a closed institution. But I wonder how exactly these deaths are counted - are all of them directly related to the conditions in Delaney Hall or are some of them from old diseases that were still at large? Without analyzing each case, you will again end up with only politics, as you said.

Ольга Мельник

I agree, 54 deaths is really disturbing, no matter how you count. I think it would be best if there was an independent commission from Congress with both parties plus representatives from the Red Cross. And what do you think, should GEO Group be allowed to undergo such inspections at all, if they themselves manage the institution?

Ксения Виноградова

Svetlana, these 54 deaths in a year really look alarming, especially if you count only those who were already in Delaney Hall. But here’s the thing: independent checks have been carried out there before, including from human rights activists, and the results often differ depending on who ordered them. Maybe we should look at the specific reports for Newark this year, rather than just the overall numbers?

Софья Новикова

Yes, Ekaterina, this is exactly what we are talking about - indiscriminately, in every case, everything slides into politics. A nurse I know worked in a similar center and said that many people come with advanced illnesses, but they often delay getting medications and examinations. How do you think these deaths could be fairly divided into “from conditions” and “from the past”?

Тетяна Литвин

It is interesting that you noticed this particular comparison, Galina. It also seems to me that when the institution was just restored, the load on it immediately became greater, so the figures should be considered taking into account how many people were kept there. And as for the inspection, maybe it is worth involving independent doctors from local New Jersey clinics, whom no one would suspect of political involvement?

Галина Соловьёва

Sophia, thank you for telling me about your nurse friend - this is exactly what I meant. Here in Samara, too, many pensioners come to the clinic with already neglected problems, and it’s stupid to blame only the doctors. And the division of deaths would be fair, probably, only if independent doctors looked at each case according to documents and analyses, without these commissions from the parties. Do you think it’s realistic to organize something like this?

Екатерина Макарова

Sophia, thank you for asking about your friend. In our prayer meeting, one woman just said that in such centers it is important to at least immediately after arrival do a full examination, and not wait until the person is completely tracked. How do you think it would be possible to organize an independent audit so that it does not slide into politics?

Тетяна Кравченко

I agree, 54 deaths is a lot, regardless of politics. But an independent commission with the Red Cross sounds reasonable, because GEO Group definitely shouldn't be auditing itself — that's like asking a fox to watch over the henhouse. And what do you think, should such facilities be given to private companies like GEO?

Светлана Волкова

Sophia, thank you for giving the example of the nurse - it just shows how confusing everything is. In my parish in New York, one immigrant man told how his relative was kept in a similar center without proper translation of complaints of pain. And independent segregation of deaths could probably be done through mandatory autopsies and reports that would be reviewed not only by ICE, but also by outside doctors from the Red Cross? Do you think it would work?

Галина Попова

I agree, Ekaterina, an examination immediately after arrival is the most important thing, my friend also said that they didn’t even take their temperature in the first days. And the independent check, probably, would be easiest to entrust not to politicians, but to doctors from ordinary city hospitals in Newark, so that there are no cameras or statements. Do you think this would be enough?

Дмитрий Васильев

I agree, Ekaterina, an examination immediately upon arrival can really change a lot. In our Voronezh clinic, they also try not to delay the initial examination, otherwise they will only treat complications later. Who do you think could pay for such independent doctors so that they do not depend on a contract with GEO?