WE COVERED THE ENTIRE DELANEY HALL ICE HUNGER STIKE PROTESTS ON THE GROUND for 3 weeks—including getting shot at with “less lethal” ammunition and tear gasses at the hands of ICE and NJ state police. We were also one of the first news outlets to interview Martin Soto’s wife Gabriela from Delaney Hall—before the Delaney Hall hunger strike and corresponding protests. This ON THE GROUND reporting is important and takes A LOT OF RESOURCES. PLEASE SUPPORT Status Coup as a paying member for as low as $5 bucks a month to keep us ON THE GROUND. You can also donate any amount!
After nine months of imprisonment in two different ICE prisons—and the last four months being tortured in solitary confinement—Martin Soto, who helped launch the Delaney Hall ICE prison strike in May, was released on Tuesday October 6th.
Martin was released after the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) certified his application for a U-Visa—which is “set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.”
A NJDOL spokesperson told Status Coup:
“Martin Soto's case aligns with the laws administered and enforced by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL). After a review of Mr. Soto’s request, the NJDOL certified his U-Visa application on October 3, 2026.”
In an exclusive interview, Martin, joined by his wife Gabriela and attorney Selenia DeStefani, revealed the Trump administration and private contractor GEO Group illegally held him in solitary confinement for four months at the Elizabeth Detention Center…
Beginning May 25th through September 22nd.
Martin and his attorney also EXCLUSIVELY revealed:
He and other detainees inside Delaney Hall were served expired/rotting food.
He confirmed he and other detainees were fed food with maggots inside.
The doctors and nurses inside Delaney Hall were under-qualified to treat detainees and detainees in many cases had to wait several weeks to receive medical care.
He lost 40 pounds over his nine month detainment.
He was tricked into being transported from Delaney Hall ICE prison to nearby Elizabeth Detention Center—guards presented him with papers they framed as his release paperwork; they then placed him in his regular clothes so he believed he was being released; soon after, they tossed him into a transport vehicle and brought him to Elizabeth Detention Center.
His lawyer referred to GEO Group’s tricking Soto as “obstruction of justice”—which was part of the legal case that helped get Martin released.
DHS charged him with aiding a riot and destroying property—claiming he was responsible for a protester striking his transport van window.
He had dark thoughts while in solitary confinement and the only thing that stopped him from hurting himself was wanting to reunite with his wife and two children.
WATCH & SHARE FULL INTERVIEW with Martin Soto below
If you would like to help support Martin and his family, who have mightily struggled economically over his 9 month detainment, see the links below:
-Amazon Wish List
-His Wife’s Venmo: @gabrielasoto-ve
STATUS COUP COVERED THE ENTIRE DELANEY HALL ICE HUNGER STIKE PROTESTS ON THE GROUND for 3 weeks—including getting shot at with “less lethal” ammunition and tear gasses at the hands of ICE and NJ state police. We were also one of the first news outlets to interview Martin Soto’s wife Gabriela from Delaney Hall—before the Delaney Hall hunger strike and corresponding protests. This ON THE GROUND reporting is important and takes A LOT OF RESOURCES. PLEASE SUPPORT Status Coup as a paying member for as low as $5 bucks a month to keep us ON THE GROUND. You can also donate any amount!
