Newark: Protesters clashed with New Jersey State Police outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center late Saturday in Newark as demonstrations against US immigration enforcement turned violent, according to media reports.

According to Anadolu Agency, more than 200 people gathered outside the facility, where both anti-ICE and pro-ICE groups had assembled throughout the day. Tensions escalated when some protesters pushed against metal barricades surrounding the detention center. In response, police in riot gear deployed tear gas and moved to disperse the crowd.

Mounted officers were later brought in as some demonstrators threw rocks and bottles at law enforcement, while others urged compliance with police orders. Protesters also set a fire in the street outside the facility, said the report.

The unrest occurred despite an earlier appeal by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill for calm. Sherrill defended the deployment of state police as 'absolutely necessary' and urged those traveling from outside the state to avoid creating chaos.

The confrontation follows nearly a week of protests at Delaney Hall, including an incident Monday in which US Sen. Andy Kim was reportedly pepper-sprayed by immigration agents during a demonstration.

The privately-operated detention center has also become the focus of criticism from detainees, some of whom are reportedly on a hunger strike due to what they describe as poor food quality and inadequate medical care. The Trump administration has denied these allegations and accused protesters of engaging in disorderly conduct and assaults on law enforcement officers.