The White House advisor for border affairs, Tom Homancame to the defense of the Delaney Hall immigration detention center, in Recent Jersey, after activists, legislators and state authorities denounced alleged inadequate conditions within the facilities operated for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE).
In the face of serious accusations, Homan personally toured the center and rejected accusations of overcrowdinghealth problems and deficiencies in care for detainees.
“Is it a five-star resort? No. But is it a well-run detention center? Yes”Homan stated during an interview with CBSNews. In addition, he took the opportunity to say that the food there is good: “The spaghetti was good”said. “And I’m a pretty big guy and I didn’t finish them. I couldn’t finish the plate.”
Protests and complaints around Delaney Hall
The Delaney Hall center has become a focus of protests since late May; Immigrant rights organizations and Democratic legislators have pointed out alleged poor conditions within the facilitiesincluding ventilation problems, insufficient medical care and concerning health conditions.
Criticism increased after some officials claimed that several detainees began a hunger strike as a form of protest. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) He denied that said strike occurred and rejected accusations about the state of the center.
Furthermore, the fiscal classic of Recent Jersey Files Lawsuit Against GEO Communitya private company that manages Delaney Hall under contract with ICE. The appropriate action alleges that state health inspectors were not given full access to the facilities to conduct their evaluations.
Homan rejects accusations of overcrowding
During the interview, Homan insisted that The complaints respond to political opposition against immigration policies of President Donald Trump.
“It is about closing those facilities,” said the official, who assured that some sectors even seek the elimination of ICE.
Regarding reports of overpopulation, he indicated that Delaney Hall can seat a thousand peoplebut it currently houses 706 detainees, a figure that, according to him, shows that there is no overcrowding.
Although he acknowledged that there are always aspects that can be improved, he stated that the health and safety of migrants are not compromised.
ICE will expand operations in New York
Homan also confirmed that ICE plans to increase its activity in New York due to “sanctuary city” policies, which limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agents.
Likewise, he pointed out that during international events such as the World Cup, The priority will be public safety and not the carrying out of massive immigration operations.
“There is no priority to carry out an immigration aid and eye operation in these events”he assured.
Keep reading:
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