Amid protests at Delaney Hall, a Catholic nun has been offering 'radical hospitality'

NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) — For five days, Delaney Hall, an immigrant detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, has been in the news for  protests over conditions inside the facility. After some 300 detainees began a hunger and labor strike over what they said were inhumane conditions, the protests have grown to include members of Congress, such as Sen. Andy Kim and Rep. Robert Menendez, both Democrats from New Jersey. 

But for the last year, one woman, Sister Susan Francois, has volunteered at the “Radical Hospitality” tent outside Delaney Hall, bearing witness and ministering to families and friends visiting detainees. She started coming in May 2025, when there was protest over conditions in front of Delaney Hall, and a New Jersey gubernatorial candidate and a member of Congress were arrested. Soon after, Francois began visiting about twice a week and documenting her work on TikTok. 

Watch a day in her life and the first episode of  “Faith on the Immigration Frontline,” RNS’ short-form documentary series about clergy and religious community members putting their faith to work on the front lines of America’s immigration crisis.  

Due to an editing error, this post originally said Sister Susan Francois had run the tent. She is a volunteer.