Category: Law Enforcement

Mullin Says Newark Airport Operations Will Continue as Delaney Hall Unrest Persists

Dyuthi Susan ZachariahImmigration, Law Enforcement, Travel/Immigration, USA 0

Federal officials said international flight processing at Newark Airport will continue as New Jersey authorities strengthen security measures around the Delaney Hall detention center.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on Monday that there was currently no need to halt international flight processing at Newark Liberty International Airport, citing cooperation from New Jersey state and local law enforcement authorities.

According to Reuters, the remarks come days after New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill ordered state police to take control of the area surrounding the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, which had become the site of ongoing confrontations between protesters and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Sherrill described the move as intended to reduce escalating tensions and incidents of violence outside the Delaney Hall, the 1,000-bed detention facility operated by the private company Geo Group on behalf of ICE. 

Dozens of protestors were arrested over the weekend after refusing to comply with a curfew imposed around the facility. According to The Associated Press, the curfew remains in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day within a half-mile radius of the detention center until further notice.

Mullin acknowledged that federal officials had previously considered reassigning customs personnel from Newark Liberty International Airport to support security operations related to the unrest. However, he said such measures were not necessary at present due to the actions taken by state and local authorities.

“As long as we continue to have this partnership with local and state law enforcement, then there’ll be no need to do so,” Mullin said during a press conference in Dallas.

Last week, Mullin warned that the Trump administration could suspend the processing of international travelers and cargo at Newark Airport. Reuters reported that major airline, travel, and business organizations subsequently warned that any disruption to customs and border processing at Newark or other major U.S. airports could create significant travel delays, disrupt cargo operations, and affect thousands of passengers.

Mullin has also stated that similar measures to halt immigration processing could be considered at major airports located in “sanctuary cities”. According to the U.S. Travel Association, shutting down international flight processing at the 18 airports serving those cities could result in an economic impact exceeding $70 billion annually and affect approximately 68 million international passengers each year. 

Protests Continue Outside New Jersey ICE Detention Center as Family Visits Resume

Dyuthi Susan ZachariahImmigration, Law Enforcement, Politics, USA 0

Family visitation resumed at Delaney Hall as protests and a detainee hunger strike entered a second week, drawing increased attention to conditions inside the facility.

Protests continued through the weekend outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, as detained immigrants inside the facility entered the ninth day of an ongoing hunger and labor strike.

Delaney Hall is a 1,000-bed facility operated by the private company Geo Group (GEO.N) on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protests began after detainees raised concerns about conditions inside the facility, including medical care, food quality, sanitation, overcrowding, and faster action on their immigration cases. Critics, including immigrant advocates and Democratic politicians, have called for closing the facility, which they have described as a poorly run site with inhumane conditions. The situation gained wider attention following confrontations between protesters and law enforcement outside the detention center.

According to Reuters, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill confirmed that family visitation, which had been suspended during the unrest, would resume at the facility. Newark officials also imposed an overnight curfew in the area surrounding the detention center, while New Jersey State Police expanded restricted zones around the site following several nights of protests and arrests.

Addressing the unrest, Sherrill criticized individuals she said were contributing to the disorder around the facility. “You should not be here,” she said of those who came to create chaos. “You are not helping the people detained at Delaney Hall. You’re not helping detainee families and you’re certainly not keeping New Jersey safe.” 

The demonstrations have drawn both opponents and supporters of ICE. On Saturday, anti-ICE protesters and a smaller group of counter protesters gathered outside the facility, separated by police barricades.

According to The Guardian, the opposing demonstrations followed a tense Friday night during which state police fired tear gas canisters and pepper-ball projectiles at anti-ICE protesters. State police officers also arrived on horseback and pushed demonstrators back from the detention center.

Federal investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were also present in the area as authorities monitored the situation.

“Some activists were seen retrieving face coverings, gas masks, fireworks, rocks, and other projectiles from a nearby tent area,” said State Police Lieutenant Colonel David Sierotowicz.

Video footages from Friday showed officers advancing with riot shields and deploying tear gas. Sierotowicz said police used standard crowd-control tactics to move demonstrators away from the facility and that no significant injuries were reported among law enforcement personnel or members of the public.

Several Democratic lawmakers and immigrant-rights organizations have called for greater oversight of conditions at Delaney Hall and increased transparency regarding operations at the facility.

While visitation has resumed in part, advocacy groups say concerns regarding medical care, living conditions, and detainee treatment remain unresolved. 

The developments at Delaney Hall come amid broader discussions surrounding U.S. immigration policy. Recent changes to immigration procedures and green card processing have also generated concern among some legal immigrants, including H-1B visa holders, international students, and employment-based green card applicants. 

Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups have raised questions about recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidance and stricter filing requirements, particularly concerning adjustment-of-status applications. Discussions on online immigration forums have reflected concerns among applicants regarding potential impacts on visa holders and individuals seeking permanent residency.

Federal officials maintain that current enforcement measures and immigration procedures are necessary to administer U.S. immigration law and ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, protests outside Delaney Hall continued over the weekend as authorities, advocates, and detainees awaited further developments.

FBI Exposes Extortion Scam Targeting Indian Community; Urges Public Vigilance

Staff ReporterCrime, Law Enforcement 0

A recent revelation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office has shed light on a public extortion scheme targeting individuals with ties to India, whether personal or professional.

The field office, which oversees a 34-county area, has been closely monitoring numerous incidents involving extortion and violent threats. Experts note that many of these illicit activities often go unreported. To combat this alarming trend, the FBI and its law enforcement partners urge the public to come forward with any information regarding these crimes.

Mark Remily, the acting special agent in charge at the FBI Sacramento Field Office, has voiced serious concerns regarding the safety and economic well-being of the targeted individuals of Indian descent. He condemned the use of thuggish tactics by criminals in their unlawful attempts to extort law-abiding business owners. Remily emphasized the importance of promptly reporting any instances of attempted extortion to authorities, as it can aid in identifying and disrupting the operations of these criminals.

Reports indicate that individuals involved in recent extortion attempts have demanded large sums of money while threatening physical harm or even death if their demands are not met. Those who have refused to comply with these demands have faced violent repercussions, including shootings at their homes or vehicles.

In the event of imminent danger, individuals are advised to call 911. Additionally, reports of violent threats with the intent to extort money can be made to local field offices, tips.fbi.gov, or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The FBI offers language services to assist individuals in communicating effectively when reporting such incidents over the phone.

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