Journalist threatened with Taser, pepper-sprayed by federal officers

Independent reporter and photojournalist Wali Khan was targeted with pepper-spray and threatened with a Taser by federal officers while covering protests outside an immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 26, 2026.

Protests outside the Delaney Hall federal detention facility began May 22, when many detainees went on a hunger strike. Federal officers responded to the protests with chemical irritants, physical force and arrests.

Members of Congress, state and local lawmakers and rights groups have alleged dire conditions at the facility. The Department of Homeland Security has denied allegations of detainee mistreatment.

In a post on social media, Khan reported May 26 that protesters had gathered outside the detention center for the third straight day, and were met by dozens of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

“Barricades were dragged into the street. Demonstrators tried to block vans they believed were being used to move detainees out of the facility,” he wrote. “ICE agents pepper sprayed protesters outside the facility.”

Khan told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he, too, was targeted by the federal officers.

“I definitely got targeted with pepper spray that day, and not only that,” he said. “I had a Taser pointed at my face, telling me to back up.”

Khan added that, though the officer was also aiming at a nearby protester, he himself was clearly identifiable as a member of the press.

“They were fucking out of control that day,” Khan told the Tracker. He was also struck in the leg as officers erratically swung their batons at the crowd to drive them back.

In a statement emailed to the Tracker on June 1, DHS said anyone who obstructs law enforcement or disrupts its operations would be prosecuted. It did not address its use of force against members of the press.

“We remind members of the media to exercise caution as they cover these violent riots and remind journalists that covering unlawful activities in the field does come with risks,” the statement read. “Our officers take every reasonable precaution to mitigate those dangers to those exercising protected First Amendment rights.”