White House: ICE Operations at Newark’s Delaney Hall Will Continue Despite Protests

The White House posted a statement on X on June 1, 2026, stating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations at Delaney Hall in Newark will not be deterred. The post said: “Newark or anywhere in America, the message doesn’t change: @ICEgov operations will NOT be deterred. Riot, obstruct, or assault an officer and you will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The phrase “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes” is a lyric from Taylor Swift’s song “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince,” which appeared on her 2019 album Lover. Protests have taken place at Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. New Jersey State Police clashed with protesters at the site.

Protesters and advocacy groups have accused federal authorities of increasing enforcement activity while failing to address humanitarian concerns raised by detainees. Reported concerns at Delaney Hall include inadequate medical care, alleged physical abuse of detainees by ICE personnel, and deaths occurring in custody.

” The department referred to its critics as “sanctuary politicians” and “leftist activists” who “have been spreading false information” about the ICE facility.

Delaney Hall has long been used to house immigration detainees. The facility has faced scrutiny from activists and elected officials who have called for the center to be shut down, for increased oversight, and reforms to the detention system.