As ICE operations are carried out across the country, President Trump has insisted his administration is removing criminals from our streets, including for the crime of coming to the country illegally.

Well this week, a group of 25 men detained at Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark have issued a joint letter sharing their stories of how and why they entered the U.S.

In the letter shared with advocates, the men apologized for the way they entered the country, but say their lives and the lives of their families were in danger.

They say they turned themselves in to border authorities, attended mandatory check-ins with immigration officials, and obtained work permits.

And that there were no judge's orders for their arrests or detention, but that ICE officers didn't care, arresting them at scheduled immigration appointments.

They say they feel they've been "kidnapped or detained without justification" and that their right to due process and legal counsel was violated.

Some say they've requested to self-deport despite the dangers they face in their home countries, but that even those requests are being delayed.

Detainees say Delaney is overcrowded and that ICE is detaining people with physical disabilities and mental health issues, as well as juveniles and the elderly.

Now, GEO Group, which runs Delaney Hall, says it, quote, "strongly disagrees with these allegations which we believe are instigated by politically motivated outside groups as part of a campaign to abolish ICE."

Meanwhile, ICE did not respond to a request for comment.

[MUSIC PLAYING]