Four illegal immigrants escaped from the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, this week after dozens of detainees reportedly staged a revolt. A Department of Homeland Security official confirmed the escape, which has prompted a multi-agency manhunt.
“DHS has become aware of 4 detainees at the privately held Delaney Hall Detention facility escaping,” according to a statement from the DHS. “Additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees.”
The DHS stated that local law enforcement had been notified and urged the public to report any information about the incident by calling 911 or the ICE tip line.
Immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin reported that around 50 detainees at the ICE facility became upset when their meals were delayed and ended up pushing down a dormitory wall. He explained that his client, whom he described as "not very strong," along with other detainees, hung bedsheets—possibly as part of an escape attempt. His client also mentioned smelling gas during the event.
“It’s about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive, and it turned violent," Cetin said.
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Later in the evening, a significant group of officers from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and Newark Police responded to the scene, according to Rutgers University-Newark professor Whitney Strub, who shared photos of the heightened police presence. He noted that he and others outside the detention center began coughing at the same time, suggesting possible exposure to some form of gas. Hours later, protesters blocked an SUV from leaving through a side gate at Delaney Hall, forcing it to retreat into the facility. The escaped detainees were last seen running near Turnpike 78 and Delancey Street.
Democratic Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said he was concerned about the treatment of the illegal immigrants being detained at the facility, saying he believes they were being withheld food.
“This entire situation lacks sufficient oversight of every basic detail — including local zoning laws and fundamental constitutional rights. This is why city officials and our congressional delegation need to be allowed entry to observe and monitor, any why private prisons pose a very real problem to our state and its constitution," Baraka said in a statement. "We demand immediate answers and clear communication with the GEO Group and the Department of Homeland Security. We must put an end to this chaos and not allow this operation to continue unchecked."
