Clergy members descend on Newark ICE facility, say they won't move until they are arrested

Fox News - May 12th, 2025

On May 12, 2025, protesters, including roughly 50 clergy members from Faith in N.J. and Faith in Action, demonstrated outside the newly reopened ICE facility, Delaney Hall, in Newark, New Jersey. They linked arms, sang songs, and attempted to block access to the facility, expressing their opposition to the detention of inmates inside. The protest followed an incident where Democratic lawmakers stormed the facility, leading to heightened tensions and the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the facility's operations, stating that it housed serious criminals such as murderers and child rapists, while the protesters criticized the administration for what they see as the weaponization of law enforcement.

The situation has sparked a broader debate about immigration policy and law enforcement practices in the U.S. The actions by the lawmakers and clergy highlight the ongoing contention surrounding ICE facilities and the treatment of detainees. Public opinion appears divided, with a Pew Research Center poll indicating that a majority of Americans support deporting certain illegal immigrants, especially those with violent crime records. This incident underlines the political and social tensions in the U.S. regarding immigration, law enforcement, and civil rights, with implications for local and national policy discussions going forward.

Immigration Newark Protest Tricia Mc Laughlin Ras Baraka Detention Centers Ice Facility Faith In N.J. Faith In Action Democratic Lawmakers

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive account of a protest involving clergy members and Democratic lawmakers at an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey. It scores well in terms of timeliness and public interest, as it addresses a current and significant issue related to immigration enforcement. The story is generally accurate, but it could benefit from more direct quotes and evidence to support its claims.

While the article presents multiple perspectives, it leans slightly towards the government's viewpoint, which affects its balance score. The source quality is reasonable, but additional direct sources from the protest would enhance credibility. Transparency could be improved by providing more detailed citations and explanations of the methodology used in reporting.

Overall, the article is clear and readable, with a logical structure that aids comprehension. It effectively engages readers by covering a controversial topic and has the potential to influence public opinion and contribute to ongoing debates. However, there is room for improvement in providing more varied perspectives and direct evidence to strengthen the narrative.

Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of the protest outside Delaney Hall, including specific claims about the number of protesters and their affiliations. It mentions that roughly 50 clergy members from Faith in N.J. and Faith in Action participated, which is a precise detail that aids in verification. However, the story lacks direct quotes or confirmation from the organizations involved, which would strengthen its accuracy.

The article claims that Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the detainees as "murderers, terrorists, child rapists, and MS-13 gang members," which is a strong statement that requires corroboration from official reports or statements. Additionally, the claim about Newark Mayor Ras Baraka's arrest and the assault on an ICE agent are significant events that would benefit from more detailed sourcing or evidence, such as video footage or official statements.

The story references polling data from the Pew Research Center, stating that 83% of Americans support deporting at least some illegal immigrants. While the Pew Research Center is a reputable source, the article does not provide a direct link or citation to this specific poll, which would enhance the factual basis of the claim.

Balance

The article presents a narrative that includes perspectives from both the protesters and the authorities. It describes the actions and intentions of the clergy members and Democratic lawmakers, as well as the response from the Department of Homeland Security. However, the article seems to lean towards presenting the government's perspective, especially with the emphasis on the types of detainees housed at Delaney Hall.

There is a notable absence of direct quotes or statements from the clergy members or the organizations they represent, which would provide a more balanced view of the protest's motivations and goals. Additionally, while the article mentions the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, it does not explore his perspective or the broader implications of his arrest in detail.

The inclusion of polling data adds a layer of public opinion to the story, but the lack of dissenting views or alternative interpretations of the data could lead to a perception of bias. Overall, while the article attempts to cover multiple perspectives, it could benefit from a more equitable representation of voices involved in the incident.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and presents information in a clear and logical manner. It begins with a description of the protest and provides background information on the involvement of clergy members and Democratic lawmakers. The use of subheadings and paragraphs helps organize the content, making it easy for readers to follow.

The language is straightforward and avoids unnecessary jargon, which aids in comprehension. The inclusion of specific details, such as the number of protesters and the affiliations of the clergy members, adds clarity to the narrative.

However, the article could benefit from more direct quotes or statements from the involved parties, which would provide additional context and enhance the clarity of the motivations and perspectives of the protesters. Overall, the article effectively communicates the main events and claims, with minor areas for improvement in providing additional context.

Source quality

The article cites multiple sources, including Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and polling data from the Pew Research Center, both of which are credible sources. The mention of an AP photo credit suggests the use of professional journalism practices, which adds to the reliability of the visual evidence.

However, the article lacks direct quotes from the clergy members or Democratic lawmakers involved in the protest, which would enhance the credibility of their reported actions and intentions. Additionally, while the article mentions the Department of Homeland Security's social media posts, it does not provide direct links or screenshots, which would strengthen the transparency and verifiability of these claims.

Overall, the article relies on credible sources for some of its claims but could improve its source quality by including more direct evidence and statements from the involved parties.

Transparency

The article provides a reasonable amount of context about the protest and related events, such as the previous incident involving Democratic lawmakers. It mentions the reopening of Delaney Hall and the motivations of the protesters, which helps readers understand the situation.

However, the article does not clearly disclose the basis for some of its claims, such as the exact source of the polling data or the specific social media posts from the Department of Homeland Security. Providing direct links or more detailed citations would enhance transparency and allow readers to verify the information independently.

The article also lacks a clear explanation of its methodology in reporting the events, such as how it gathered information from the protest or verified the claims about the detainees. Greater transparency in these areas would improve the article's credibility and trustworthiness.