Frank Pallone: “Well, I do not understand the whole phenomena. Somehow, in some Republican minds, and I am not saying all of them…”

If they cannot be operated in compliance with federal law and the Constitution, GEO Group, CoreCivic, and any other private contractors should not continue to profit from taxpayer dollars, and the detention centers must be closed.

Towns in my district are way ahead of this Congress in seeking a moratorium. Asbury Park, Red Bank, Old Bridge and Sayreville all have taken this bold step.

This tragedy was entirely preventable, but this Administration’s cruelty ensures it will be repeated if immediate steps aren’t taken to strip GEO Group of its billion-dollar contract and shutter Delaney Hall.

I’m glad I was able to secure the federal funding necessary to support this project, which will make these Jersey Shore communities more resilient in the years to come.