A tense standoff at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark on May 12, 2025, turned volatile as roughly 50 clergy members, joined by other protesters, blockaded the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility’s entrance, clashing with police and leading to arrests.

The demonstration, aimed at halting President Trump’s deportation efforts, saw agitators obstructing emergency vehicles and defying orders to disperse, prompting a fierce response from federal authorities who are cracking down on illegal immigration.

The incident, coming days after a similar clash involving Democratic lawmakers, underscores the growing resistance to Trump’s immigration agenda.

The protest, organized by Faith in New Jersey and Faith in Action, began Monday morning outside Delaney Hall, a recently reopened ICE facility housing up to 1,000 detainees.

Clergy members linked arms, chanted, and sang hymns, vowing to block the gates until arrested. “We’re not going anywhere until they take us,” one protester declared, according to Fox News, condemning the detention of migrants.

The group prayed for detainees and attempted to enter the facility, escalating tensions.

Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda reported two arrests for obstruction and resisting arrest. One officer sustained a minor arm laceration but remained on duty.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slammed the protesters’ actions, accusing them of endangering lives.

“Who do they want released from Delaney Hall? The child rapists, murderers, drug traffickers, MS-13 gang members, or known terrorists?”

Noting that 75% of the facility’s detainees have committed or face criminal charges.

The protest follows a May 9 incident at the same facility, where Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for trespassing and three Democratic lawmakers—Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez—allegedly assaulted ICE officers during an oversight visit.

McLaughlin called Monday’s demonstration a “cheap political stunt” that blocked an ambulance, risking the safety of detainees and staff.

“This was reckless,” she said, refuting claims by Newark officials that Delaney Hall lacks proper permits.

Baraka, speaking at a gubernatorial debate Monday night, defended his earlier arrest as “absolutely effective” in challenging Trump’s policies. “We’re asking them to obey our laws, not run roughshod over the Constitution,” he said, denying any wrongdoing.

His stance, echoed by some Democratic rivals, highlights the city’s opposition to the ICE facility, operated by GEO Group under a $1 billion federal contract. Newark’s lawsuit against GEO, alleging permit violations, adds fuel to the conflict.

Trump’s immigration crackdown, backed by 83% of Americans for deporting at least some illegal immigrants per Pew Research, has intensified scrutiny on facilities like Delaney Hall.

ICE’s director told Fox News the detainees include serious offenders, justifying the administration’s hardline approach. Yet protesters, including clergy, argue the detentions violate due process.

“This is not acceptable,” one demonstrator said, dismissing the ambulance issue as a tactic to disrupt their stand.

The clash reflects a broader battle between local leaders and federal enforcement. While Democrats like Rep. Watson Coleman claim ICE officials “created chaos” in prior incidents, DHS insists protesters are breaking the law.

“They put law enforcement at risk,” McLaughlin said, hinting at further arrests. With video evidence reportedly showing confrontations, the situation remains volatile.

As Newark braces for more protests, the Delaney Hall incidents tests Trump’s resolve to secure the border against fierce local pushback. The arrests and injuries signal a city on edge, divided over immigration and law enforcement’s role in America’s future.