WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) led members of the New Jersey Democratic Delegation in demanding answers and accountability for systematic, life-threatening medical neglect at Delaney Hall that led to an ongoing hunger strike at the facility. The effort comes after Menendez has made 15 oversight visits to Delaney to inspect medical conditions and speak with detained individuals and their family members.
In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) Senior Officer David Venturella, the Members highlighted extensive violations of detention standards and ethical medical care. They demanded the immediate release of all medically vulnerable individuals and strict compliance with medical detention standards as an urgent, short-term measure until Delaney Hall is permanently closed.
“In my repeated oversight visits to Delaney Hall, I have heard deeply concerning accounts of medical neglect,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “From denying critical access to care, to withholding prescription medications, to keeping people in medical isolation for months, these inhumane conditions have caused needless suffering and preventable harm to people detained at the facility. We are demanding the immediate release of vulnerable individuals and changes and accountability from DHS today. Our fight will continue until Delaney Hall is permanently closed.”
The Members’ effort centers on a pattern of egregious abuses documented during their numerous oversight visits. Individuals held at Delaney continue to suffer from dangerously delayed and denied medical treatment, the abrupt discontinuation of critical medications, inappropriate use of medical isolation, negligent chronic care management, and severe clinical staffing shortages.
The letter explicitly warns DHS and ICE that compliance with the 2019 National Detention Standards (“NDS”) is not optional, but rather a strict legal obligation designed to protect the health, safety, and dignity of those in immigration detention.
Specifically, the Members are demanding that DHS and ICE:
Menendez and the Members have vowed to exercise their full congressional oversight authority utilizing every tool at their disposal to investigate these violations until the health and safety of their constituents are secured. Menendez was joined by Congressmembers LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), and Nellie Pou (NJ-09) on the letter.
Since coming to Congress, Rob Menendez has been a leader on fighting for immigrant rights and on oversight of detention centers. Congressman Menendez first spoke out against the proposed Delaney Hall in June 2024, and he has continued to lead efforts to close it down since. Congressman Menendez has made 15 visits to Delaney Hall, including eight visits in the last few weeks. He has repeatedly called for the closure of all immigrant detention centers in New Jersey.
Congressman Menendez has also called for the end of ICE and led efforts to demand that ICE agents identify themselves when conducting enforcement operations. He previously led the New Jersey Democratic delegation in a letter demanding that DHS halt ICE’s warehouse detention plan in Roxbury. An initiative created by Congressman Menendez has united thousands of New Jerseyans in opposition to the Roxbury warehouse.
To read the full text of the letter, click here.
