A serious security breach unfolded Thursday evening at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, following a violent disturbance among illegal immigrants held at the facility.
The chaos led to four detainees escaping custody, prompting an immediate and extensive law enforcement effort to locate and recapture the fugitives.
A senior Homeland Security official confirmed that additional law enforcement agencies were quickly called in to respond to the situation.
A “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alert was issued, signaling a coordinated manhunt for the four escapees.
Reports from inside the facility suggest the unrest stemmed from tensions over delayed meals.
Immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin told NJ.com that about 50 illegal immigrants became agitated, ultimately pushing down a dormitory wall to facilitate an escape attempt.
Cetin described the wall as “not very strong” and said detainees were seen hanging bedsheets, possibly to aid in their efforts to flee.
The situation reportedly escalated to violence, with some detainees describing the presence of a gas-like substance during the disturbance.
Local law enforcement wasted no time in responding. By early evening, dozens of officers from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and Newark Police Department had arrived at the scene.
Rutgers University-Newark professor Whitney Strub, who observed the events from outside the jail, posted images of the heavy police presence and reported that many gathered nearby experienced coughing fits, possibly due to exposure to the gas released during the incident.
The tension continued to escalate later that evening when a group of protesters blocked an SUV attempting to exit an ancillary gate at Delaney Hall, forcing the vehicle to back into the facility.
Meanwhile, witnesses reported seeing the escaped illegal immigrants running near Turnpike 78 and Delancey Street, increasing the urgency of the search.
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka expressed grave concerns over the incident, citing allegations of food deprivation and mistreatment within the detention center that may have contributed to the unrest and escape.
In a public statement, Baraka criticized the facility’s lack of oversight and transparency, calling for immediate access for city officials and congressional representatives to monitor conditions at Delaney Hall, Fox News reports.
He also pointed to the broader issue of private prisons, such as those operated by the GEO Group, arguing that their operations pose significant challenges to constitutional protections and local governance.
This incident comes just days after Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was indicted on three federal charges related to a previous visit to the detention center on May 9.
The visit, described as an oversight inspection, included Baraka and other officials. Although Baraka was initially charged with trespassing during the visit, those charges were later dropped.
Authorities continue their pursuit of the four escaped detainees, urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement immediately.
The ICE Tip Line remains open for tips at 866-DHS-2-ICE.
Officials warn that harboring or assisting escapees could result in criminal charges.
The escape at Delaney Hall has renewed scrutiny on the management and security practices of private immigration detention facilities.
It also highlights ongoing tensions between state and local officials, who demand greater control and transparency and federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement.
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