Tom Homan, the White House’s border czar, defended the conditions and services at a federal immigration detention center in New Jersey that has been the focal point of protests for over a week, labeling claims of inadequate conditions as “not factual.”
In his first television interview since his visit to Delaney Hall on Saturday, Homan stated, “I toured the entire facility. Is it a five-star resort? No. But is it a well-managed detention center? Yes,” during a conversation with CBS News.
Homan also shared that he sampled some of the meals provided to detainees during his tour. “The spaghetti was good,” he remarked, adding, “And I’m a pretty big guy and I didn’t finish the meal. I couldn’t finish the meal.”
Protests and confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement have surged outside Delaney Hall, the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in New Jersey, since Memorial Day. On that day, Democratic lawmakers visited the facility and reported that detainees had initiated a hunger strike in response to poor conditions. However, the Department of Homeland Security has disputed claims of a hunger strike and denied allegations of substandard conditions.
These protests have emerged as some of the most prominent demonstrations against President Trump’s strict immigration policies since the controversial operation in Minneapolis, where two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by federal agents in January.
On Tuesday, the New Jersey Attorney General initiated legal action against GEO Group, the private prison company managing Delaney Hall under a contract with ICE. The lawsuit alleges that state health inspectors were denied full access to the facility. It seeks to compel the company to allow unrestricted access for health inspectors and cites issues such as “overcrowding,” “insufficient ventilation,” “inadequate medical care,” “unsanitary food and drink preparation,” and the “unchecked spread” of communicable diseases.
In the interview, Homan attributed the allegations against Delaney Hall to lawmakers who oppose ICE’s objectives. “This is about shutting down that facility,” he asserted, adding that for politicians on Capitol Hill, the goal is to abolish ICE.
He dismissed claims of overcrowding at Delaney Hall as “false,” asserting that the facility, which has a capacity of 1,000 beds, is currently housing 706 detainees.
When asked if he had any concerns regarding the facility, Homan acknowledged that while there is always room for improvement, the health of the detainees is not in jeopardy. “It can always improve,” he stated. “I’m not saying this facility is perfect.”
When questioned about the possibility of allowing CBS News and other journalists to visit Delaney Hall to observe the conditions firsthand, Homan referred to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin for a decision but expressed his support for transparency. CBS News has requested access to the facility from the Department of Homeland Security.
In a separate discussion, Homan confirmed plans to enhance ICE operations in New York, although he did not elaborate on specific details. “There is going to be increased activity in New York,” he indicated, asserting that more agents are needed due to “sanctuary” policies that restrict local law enforcement’s collaboration with ICE.
Regarding ICE’s involvement in the World Cup, Homan clarified that the agency’s “primary focus” will be on security rather than immigration enforcement. He stated that ICE would take action against individuals in the U.S. illegally only if they pose national security risks. “There’s no priority to conduct an immigration enforcement action … at those events,” he concluded.
