Four individuals in custody at a Newark Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility managed to break free due to advocates asserting that deplorable conditions resulted in disorder.

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Havoc erupted at a federal immigration detention center in New Jersey, known as Delaney Hall, when four detainees broke free from their confines. This facility, owned by the private corporation GEO Group, has been at the heart of protests since its opening in May, with both a sitting congresswoman and Newark's mayor getting arrested on its premises.

The escaped detainees were held at this 1,000-bed facility - utilized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detentions. Protests and criticism have been persistent outside Delaney Hall, with demonstrators demanding more oversight, denouncing President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, and pleading for transparency in detention center operations.

ICE has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the escapees, referring to them as public safety threats. The four individuals named in the news release are:

Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes, a Honduran national accused of aggravated assault, attempted bodily harm, terroristic threats, and weapon possession.
Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, another Honduran national who entered the U.S. as a minor in 2019, was arrested for unlawful handgun possession last year and aggravated assault charges in May.
Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada, a Colombian national who entered the U.S. in 2022 and was apprehended for burglary, theft, and criminal conspiracy in May.
Andres Pineda-Mogollon, a Colombian overstaying his visa and entering the U.S. in 2023, was arrested for petit larceny in April and accused of residential burglary, burglary conspiracy, and possession of burglary tools in May.

As of yet, our company has not been able to identify whether the escapees have legal representation, and we have reached out to local police departments for more information.

ICE Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin indicated that additional law enforcement partners are involved in locating the escapees and has issued a BOLO (Be On the Lookout). The public is encouraged to call 911 or the ICE Tip Line (866-DHS-2-ICE) with any pertinent information.

The escape comes amidst increasing nationwide protests against federal immigration enforcement. In response to these demonstrations, which began in downtown Los Angeles and were prompted by immigration raids, Trump has federalized the National Guard - a move opposed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Further protests are anticipated over the weekend, with over 2,000 "No Kings" anti-Trump demonstrations planned across all 50 states.

Unrest at Delaney Hall

On Thursday, the detainees breached security at Delaney Hall. While ICE stated there had been no widespread unrest at the facility, federal and local police officers responded to reports of a fight. An immigration advocate present at the scene reportedly heard from family members of detainees that the commotion started after the detainees received insufficient lunch following more than 20 hours without food.

Immigration advocates claim that chronic food shortages, contaminated water, crumbling mesh walls, and inadequate staffing contributed to the chaos that unfolded on Thursday. Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, firmly stated that GEO Group should no longer be allowed to operate in New Jersey.

Similarly, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker described the conditions at the facility as "untenable" and urged the DHS to "take immediate action to improve the conditions" in a social media post. Several members of Congress representing New Jersey, including Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver (who was arrested at Delaney Hall in May), have called on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to launch an immediate investigation into reports of "disturbing treatment" of detainees at the facility.

Despite these concerns, ICE maintains that the facility "remains dedicated to providing high-quality services, including around-the-clock access to medical care, in-person and virtual legal and family visitation, general and legal library access, translation services, dietician-approved meals, religious and specialty diets, recreational amenities, and opportunities to practice their religious beliefs."

Baraka, the Newark Mayor, stated in a social media post that the most recent reports indicate the detainees escaped by kicking through an interior wall, which, surprisingly, had not been permitted by the city. He added that this incident underscores the negative consequences of a federal government that operates beyond legal boundaries.

The city has already filed a complaint against ICE's use of the facility, alleging the agency had failed to adhere to proper building safety protocols. Baraka previously expressed concerns about reports of mistreatment of detainees, inadequate oversight, and the problematic nature of private prisons.

Frustrations reached a boiling point on Friday, as another protest took place at the facility. Protesters clashed with ICE agents, with confrontations escalating to the point where officers were filmed restraining, pushing, and shoving demonstrators onto the ground, and yelling at them to leave. At one point, officers were caught on camera restraining and carrying one protester.

Previous Incidents and Arrests

Last month, several Democratic politicians protesting the facility's opening clashed with federal agents. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for trespassing and held in custody for several hours. The charges were later dropped, and Baraka is now suing New Jersey's top federal prosecutor over his arrest.

Congresswoman Rep. LaMonica McIver was also charged with forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers after the same incident and indicted by a grand jury this week. McIver insists the charges are baseless.

The escape at Delaney Hall follows several high-profile jailbreaks in the past month, including a group of 10 escaped inmates at a New Orleans jail and a former police chief, convicted on rape and murder charges, who escaped from an Arkansas prison before being recaptured earlier this month.

Sources:1. News Release: Fugitive Apprehension Unit Offering $10,000 Reward2. ICE statement about the conditions at Delaney Hall

Politics and general-news outlets report on the escape of four detainees from Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention center in New Jersey, and the subsequent protests demanding increased oversight, transparency, and better conditions.
Crime-and-justice coverage includes the release of the identities of the four escapees, all of whom were accused of various crimes before being detained in the facility, and the ongoing search for their capture by ICE and local law enforcement.

Four individuals in custody at a Newark Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility managed to break free due to advocates asserting that deplorable conditions resulted in disorder.