DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said New Jersey state and local law enforcement are cooperating with federal authorities at the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility [1].
This cooperation is critical as federal officials manage the facility amid ongoing immigration disputes and regional tensions. The stability of the Newark-based site depends on the synergy between local police and federal agents to maintain order and security [2, 3].
Mullin said in May 2026 regarding the operational status of the facility [1, 2]. He said he has a contingency plan to redeploy U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to the site if the situation changes [1]. However, the secretary said that this backup deployment is not required at this time because of the support provided by New Jersey authorities [1].
The Delaney Hall facility has remained a focal point for immigration enforcement in the region [3]. While federal authorities maintain control of the interior, the perimeter and surrounding areas often require the assistance of local law enforcement to manage public activity, including protests and supporters of the facility [3].
Mullin said the current level of cooperation ensures that the facility can continue its operations without the need for additional federal personnel to be shifted from other border duties [1]. The secretary's remarks highlight the reliance of the Department of Homeland Security on state-level partnerships to manage detention centers in jurisdictions that may have differing political views on immigration policy [1].
“DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said New Jersey state and local law enforcement are cooperating with federal authorities.”
The DHS Secretary's acknowledgment of a contingency plan reveals that the federal government views the security of the Delaney Hall facility as a potential volatility point. By emphasizing the current cooperation of New Jersey officials, the administration is signaling that while it is prepared to unilaterally increase its security footprint, it prefers a collaborative approach to avoid the political and logistical friction of a forced federal redeployment.
