Four suspected illegal immigrants escaped from a detention center in Newark, New Jersey, causing a stir on Thursday. The escapees, identified as two Honduran men and two Colombian men, broke through a wall at Delaney Hall, a facility used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The situation at Delaney Hall turned chaotic as detainees became upset over delayed meals. Protests erupted outside the facility, with demonstrators pushing against the gates and trying to block vehicles. An attorney for one of the detainees, Mustafa Cetin, reported that the guards lost control of the situation, leading to disturbances inside.
In response to the escape, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the four men: Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada, and Andres Pineda-Mogollon. DHS has also enlisted additional law enforcement to assist in the search.
DHS clarified that reports of an "uprising" at the facility are exaggerated. They stated that there has been no widespread unrest, emphasizing that Delaney Hall is committed to providing quality services, including medical care and legal access.
The escapees have a history of legal troubles. Bautista-Reyes was arrested for aggravated assault and other charges in May, while Sandoval-Lopez has faced multiple arrests for gun possession and assault. Castaneda-Lozada has been linked to burglary, and Pineda-Mogollon was arrested for residential burglary and possession of burglary tools.
Delaney Hall, operated by the GEO Group, has been under scrutiny for its treatment of detainees. Protests have increased as local officials and activists claim the facility lacks proper oversight and violates basic rights. Newark’s Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka and other officials have previously attempted to gain access to the center, citing concerns over its operations.