Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel released a Peruvian immigrant who was one of the detainees responsible for launching a hunger and labor strike over Memorial Day weekend at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey.
Martin Soto regained his freedom Tuesday after a federal judge ordered his release. He was detained for several months at Delaney Hall and later the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, where he was transferred after helping lead the hunger strike inside the Newark facility.
U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper, a nominee of former President Joe Biden, expressed concern about Soto’s mental health while he was confined to the two detention centers. Soto, who had been imprisoned since February, was reportedly at risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation due to prolonged isolation.
The judge agreed to reopen the case last month after he initially denied the detainee’s request for release in June. ICE complied with the judge’s order, and Soto’s wife welcomed him with open arms as seen in a video posted on social media.
“I am so happy Martin is finally being released from ICE custody,” Gabby Soto said in a statement released by Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ), who had advocated the release of her constituent. “I want to thank Congresswoman Nellie Pou for all of her work on his case. Her efforts were critical to us finally reaching this moment.”
Many New Jersey Democrats at the federal and state levels continue to push for the closure of Delaney Hall and other ICE facilities.
Pou said she was “overjoyed” to hear that Soto was released.
“Martin was undeniably targeted and mistreated, being moved from Delaney Hall to the Elizabeth Detention Center and held in solitary confinement,” the congresswoman said in the release. “For months my office has been pushing ICE to release Martin and tonight justice is finally being done. It should have happened months ago. ICE remains out of control in our state and we must continue to oppose its rampant abuses. But tonight we can be grateful the hard work from so many paid off and Martin is being reunited with his family.”
Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) also celebrated the return of Soto, saying he could not fathom how hard the “cruel separation” must have been for the family over the past eight months.
“Through it all, Martin and Gabby have been brave, speaking out against ICE’s cruel policies and practices,” Kim posted on X. “I’m so glad that Martin Soto is finally home.”
After partaking in the hunger strike, which the Department of Homeland Security disputes, Soto was transferred to the detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. ICE and the DHS deny that any detainees were transferred from Delaney Hall in retaliation for the strike.
Following his release from ICE custody, Soto is wearing an ankle monitor. In his order, Semper allowed ICE to place “reasonable conditions” on the release.
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After illegally entering the United States in late 2023, the Peruvian man was released by immigration authorities in early 2024. His wife is a U.S. citizen. He has no criminal record, according to reported court records.
Soto was arrested by ICE in Kearny, New Jersey, at the start of February while shopping for diapers for his two young children.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
