Dozens of Faith in New Jersey Leaders Urge Congresswoman McIver to Speak Out Against Reopening Delaney Hall in Open Letter

Dear Congresswoman McIver,

Congratulations on your recent election to represent Newark and the 10th Congressional District! Your victory is a testament to the trust and hope the community places in your leadership.

The 10th district is home to many immigrants, Black and brown people, and families who have long struggled against systemic inequalities. One pressing issue facing our community is the reopening of Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark. This facility stands as a symbol of division and suffering, impacting families, particularly in a district as diverse and vibrant as ours. The presence of such a center not only disrupts the lives of those detained but also casts a shadow over the community, raising concerns about human rights, family unity, and the humane treatment of individuals seeking refuge and a better life.

We need you to oppose Delaney Hall’s reopening and the creation of all detention centers because this is more than a political issue; it is a moral imperative. Families should not be torn apart, and individuals should not live in fear within our community. By opposing Delaney and all detention centers, you will signal to all residents that their representative values their humanity and will fight for their rights and well-being.

Your voice is crucial in this debate. As a newly elected Congresswoman, speaking out against Delaney Hall can be one of your first acts in office, setting the tone for a tenure marked by leadership, compassion, and a commitment to community values. It is an opportunity to lead with courage, representing the diverse and resilient people of your district who have placed their faith in you.

We urge you to send a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Patrick Lechleitner, urging them to not move forward with any plans to open any new immigration detention center in Newark and New Jersey as a whole.

As Faith in New Jersey, we request to meet with you to discuss how we can work together to ensure our district is safe and welcoming for all. We are confident that with your leadership, we can work together to find solutions that reflect the best of our district, our state, and our shared humanity.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. We look forward to working with you and  seeing your advocacy in action.

Sincerely,

Charlene Walker, Executive Director; Faith in New Jersey

Faith in New Jersey Statewide Board of Directors

Congressional District 10 Chapters: Faith in Essex County and Faith in Union County

Rev, Deacon Omar M Aguilar, Our lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, Lindenwold, NJ

Rev Steven Wilson, Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Jersey City, NJ

Rev Tamara Bethea Abundant Hope Christian Life Center Newark, NJ

Rev. Niles Wilson Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church Newark, NJ

Bishop Ronald L. Owens, New Hope Baptist Church, Metuchen, NJ

Rev. Heyward Wiggins, Camden Bible Tabernacle Church, Camden, NJ

Imam Saffet Catovic, Muslim Chaplain Drew University, Madison

Rev. Geralda Aldajuste St. Paul United Methodist Church, Willingboro and Mt. Holly, NJ

Rev. Barry Wise, Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church Linden, NJ

Rev Sarah Anthony, Grace Gospel Church Paterson, NJ

Rev. Alphonsus Platt, Nia Fellowship West Orange NJ

Rev. Paul Graves, Clearway Baptist Church Newark, NJ

Rev Robert Clegg New Covenant Baptist Church Newark , NJ

Rev. Kevin Greenwood Morning Star Baptist Church Newark

Rev. James Sevilla IJMS Church of God Paterson, NJ

Rev. Stephanie McKay First Mount Zion Baptist Church Newark, NJ

Rev. David Ford St. Matthew Baptist Church, Roselle, NJ

Rev. Howard A Bryant Sr., Townley Presbyterian Church, Union, NJ

Rev. Amir Khan, New Beginnings, Camden, NJ

Rev. Nyzia Easterling Saving Grace Ministries, Camden, NJ

Deacon Shawn Butler, Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church, Camden, NJ

Rev. Tim Merrill, Imani Fellowship, Camdden, NJ

Rev. Spencer Rogers, Kingdom Life Fellowship, Camden, NJ

Rev. Tiffany Alston, KIngs Way International, Camden, NJ

Rev. Norman Alston, KIngs Way international,, Camden, NJ

Imam Faheem Lea, Quba School and Islamic Center, Camden, NJ

Rev. Jesse Brown, Christus Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camden, NJ

Rev. Nate Thompson Church of the Open Door Ministries, Trenton, NJ

Rev. Dorthy Harris, St. Mary’s Evangelical Christian Church, Hudson, NJ

Rev. Erik Kussman, St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church, Trenton, NJ

Rev. Michael Howard, Greater Is He Ministries, Trenton, NJ

Rev. Alfred Dingle, Faith Temple Baptist Church, Hudson, NJ

Rev. Cameron Pryer, Grace Christian Church, Hudson, NJ

Rev. Errold Lanier, Good News Bible Mission, Hudson, NJ

Rev. Hattie Ross, True Gospel Holiness Church, Hudson, NJ

Rev. Norris Gadsden, New Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church, Hudson, NJ

Anthony Ways, Dare Academy, Camden, NJ

Rev. Charles Atkins, XL Endeavors, Camden, NJno

Jay Rutherford, Life After Life, Camden, NJ

Steven Young, Black Men United, Atlantic City, NJ

Jameria Miller-Myers, Teeny Minds, Hudson, NJ

Damaris Suarez, MBS Synergy, Hudson, NJ

Dennis Febo, Guazabara Insights And Foundation, Hudson, NJ

Lashawn Overton, Shawnee Talks, Hudson, NJ

Jesus Villanueva, Casa PRAT Vineland, NJ

Victor Jimenez, CPR, Vineland, NJ

Eddie Pabon,Your Soul is Light, Hudson, NJ

Kareem Thomas, Positive Brother/Next Man Up, New Brunswick, NJ

Benjamin Guy, Franklin Grace Resource Center, New Brunswick, NJ

Saundra Robinson Green, The Connected Vine, Hudson, NJ

Antonne Henshaw, Transformative Justice Initiative, Camden, NJ

Rev.. Russell Owen, Transformative Leadership Consultation Services, Camden NJ

Born Understanding Allah, Born Builders NRCS, Burlington, NJ

Ahava Divine, City Girl Ambition / Divine Coaching, Camden NJ

Marcie Walton, Making it Work, Camden, NJ

Rev. James Brown, From Streets to Christ, Patterson, NJ

Rev. Willie Francois III, Fountain Baptist Church, Summit, NJ

Rev Jack Martin, pres. Haiti Solidarity Network NE

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Faith in New Jersey is a multi-faith multi-racial power building vehicle for faith communities and everyday people traditionally excluded from the decision making that impacts their everyday lives. Through faith-based community organizing we deliver tangible changes for communities to thrive with a co-created social justice agenda that supports human rights, expanding democracy, ending gun violence, restorative, racial, economic, and immigrant justice on the local, state, and federal level.

Faith in New Jersey is a non-partisan 501c3 local federation of the Faith in Action national network and proud members of the Live Free USA network.