A major security breach occurred Thursday night at Delaney Hall, a newly opened ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, when four detainees escaped amid a broader revolt sparked by poor conditions. Roughly 50 individuals reportedly dismantled an interior drywall barrier—using bedsheets tied into a makeshift rope—to flee into a nearby parking area.
The escapees have been identified as two Hondurans arrested for aggravated assault and two Colombians charged with burglary. All are considered public-safety risks, and a manhunt is underway as DHS and the FBI offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to their capture.
Amid escalating tensions, local and federal law enforcement surged into the facility. Protests outside grew heated, with demonstrators clashing with officers, disrupting vehicle movement, and reportedly causing respiratory irritation believed to be from gas used by law enforcement.
Criticism of the facility’s management—operated by GEO Group under ICE contract—increased following family accounts of delayed meals, unsanitary water, and restricted legal visits. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Senator Andy Kim have demanded heightened oversight and possible shutdown of the site.
All attorney-client visitations have been suspended, and some detainees are being transferred while security reviews continue. The incident underscores rising concerns over conditions within federal immigration detention facilities.