Border czar Tom Homan strongly pushed back on claims made by Democrats regarding conditions at a New Jersey ICE facility. He stated that a surprise visit found detainees receiving substantial meals, access to recreation, and orderly housing.
"The Democratic politicians were lying. They're enticing these protests with their lies," Homan told Fox News host Lara Trump. He was referring to the recent outrage directed at Newark's Delaney Hall.
The border czar completely disputed reports of an ongoing hunger strike at the facility. Homan said one detainee attempted to start a strike but was ultimately unsuccessful.
He also rejected claims that the facility's conditions are poor. Homan detailed his own surprise tour of the center's medical facilities, recreation areas, housing units, and bathrooms.
"I even did a surprise visit on Saturday, unannounced, to eat lunch because I was told the food was bad," Homan said. "So I sat in the cafeteria right along with the detainees."
Homan confirmed he ate the exact same meal being served to the detainees. The meal included spaghetti with meat sauce, vegetables, fresh rolls, and dessert.
"I'm not a small guy. I couldn't finish it off," he recalled.
"It isn't about the quality of detention, it's about detention," Homan added. "They don't want these people detained, right? They want to shut down detention centers, and they want to abolish ICE. That's what it's all about."
Don’t believe Democrats and the media, they have all been saying the food is horrible at Delaney Hall, New Jersey’s ICE detention facility in Newark
Tom Homan visited the detention center and actually sat down with the detainees and ate lunch
They get great food and even cake… pic.twitter.com/1EwWDrK7jn
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) June 7, 2026
Delaney Hall is currently at the center of a tense standoff. The situation began after illegal immigrant detainees penned an open letter alleging they live in inhumane conditions. They also claimed they were being denied necessary medical care and adequate food.
"Initially, we ask for forgiveness for the way we entered the United States, but given the circumstances we were living in our countries, which placed our lives and those of some members of our families in danger," the letter states.
"We feel vulnerable and, in a way, kidnapped — detained without justification — not to mention that we are being tortured physically and psychologically due to the poor food resources provided in these detention centers," the detainees added in the letter.
The Department of Homeland Security quickly denied the serious allegations. The agency released facility menus showing that detainees receive three meals daily, including options like chicken fajitas and Salisbury steak.