08/13/2026
SJ COMMITTEE ACTION ALERT!
The following is an action request concerning the condition of Delaney Hall, from Hatou Camara, Migrant Outreach Coordinator for the Interfaith Center of New York:
A review of data about ambulance calls to Delaney Hall shows that ambulance calls are up precipitously. Last fall Scripps News Service reported that there were 12 emergency calls over the period of two months. Recently a volunteer's OPRA request revealed more than double that number in just one month- from mid May to Mid June. This past Thursday there were three ambulance calls and onFriday there were two.
For one of the emergency calls on Friday, people inside the unit were desperately trying to get their unit-mate care because they believed he was having a heart attack. For the second ambulance call we have reason to believe the person was suffering from a stroke.
The air conditioning that was completely out a few weeks ago was only partially restored. People inside report outages in some areas of multiple units. This includes the sleeping quarters for the women's unit.
People in at least two units are enduring overcrowded conditions. One unit reportedly had as many as 20 men in a room that usually holds 12.
Visitation was canceled on Thursday and delayed by at least three hours on Sunday. Families were given no notice of these changes.
Only family members are allowed to visit. Many family members are being denied because they are reportedly not on a pre-approved list.
The facility continues to release people in the middle of the night — sometimes after 1 am. People do not always have ID, cell phones, money, credit cards or transportation. At other facilities, including Geo facilities, someone will call advocates when releases are about to take place so they can send a volunteer.
One of the units has no hot water, another has only scalding water.
With a long-term goal of shutting down Delaney Hall. This is good, but we need bolder statements and broader action. We need them to focus on freeing people from detention now and then shutting down all ICE detention facilities — not just Delaney, not just the private for-profit prisons.
Script for Congressional offices:
Hello my name is [name]. I am calling from [name of organization you affiliate with, if any]. I live in [municipality]. I am calling to thank you for your recent attention to Delaney Hall, but I want to encourage you to do more. Please work with your colleagues in NJ & NY to pressure Geo to restore visitation, fix the water and air conditioning and provide notice to advocates about releases so they can make sure people have transportation. These are interim steps. Ultimately, we want our neighbors to be free and we want you to close all ICE detention facilities — not just Delaney Hall.
Phone numbers
Sen Cory Booker 202-224-3224 NJ office - 973-639-8700
Sen Andy Kim 202-224-4744 NJ office - 609-259-2450
Gov Mikie Sherrill 609-292-6000
Rep McIver 973-645-3213 202-225-3436
Rep Menendez 201-309-0301 202-225-7919
Rep Mejia 973-526-5668 202-225-5034
Rep Pou 973-523-5152 202-225-5751
Rep Watson Coleman 609-883-0026 202-225-5801
Rep Pallone 732-249-8892 202-225-4671
Rep Gottheimer 201-389-1100 202-225-4465
Rep Conaway 609-438-6290 202-225-4765
If you are from NY please call
Sen Schumer 212-486-4430 202-224-6542
Sen Gilibrand 202-224-4451 212-688-6262
Rep Lawler 845-743-7130 202-224-4451
Rep Jeffries 718-237-2211 202-225-5936
Rep Clarke 718-287-1142 202-225-6231
Rep Ocazio-Cortez 718-662-5970 202-225-3965
Rep Meng 718-358-6364 202-225-2601
Rep Lattimer 718-530-7888 202-225-2464
Rep Torres 718-503-9610 202-225-2261
Rep Meeks 718-725=6000 202-225-3461
Tom Suozzi 718-631-0400 202-225-3335
