Protesters clashed with New Jersey State Police outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention centre late on Saturday in Newark as demonstrations against US immigration enforcement turned violent, according to media reports.
More than 200 people gathered outside the facility, where anti-ICE and pro-ICE groups assembled throughout the day, reported NJ.com.
Tensions escalated after some protesters pushed against metal barricades surrounding the detention centre.
Police in riot gear responded by firing tear gas and moving in to disperse the crowd.
Mounted officers were later deployed 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 came 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 travelling from outside the state to avoid creating chaos.
Police sprayed lawmaker
The confrontation follows nearly a week of protests at Delaney Hall, including an incident Monday in which immigration agents reportedly pepper-sprayed US Senator Andy Kim during a demonstration.
The privately-operated detention centre has also become the focus of criticism from detainees, some of whom are reportedly on a hunger strike for what they describe as poor food quality and inadequate medical care.
The Trump administration has denied the allegations and accused protesters of engaging in disorderly conduct and assaults on law enforcement officers.
