Four men escaped from a migrant detention center in Newark, New Jersey, after days of protests inside over poor food and overcrowding. The escape happened at Delaney Hall, a private immigration facility that quickly became a symbol of President Trump’s strict immigration policies.
Detainees had been complaining for days about bad food, with many not getting meals on time and some sleeping on the floor because of overcrowding. Tension boiled over on Thursday afternoon when detainees smashed windows and security cameras. Four men were able to escape through a weak wall, according to officials.
The escape followed growing anger inside the center. Lawyers and family members said detainees were calling them in fear, saying they were hungry and scared. Some even begged relatives to call the press or the police. Video clips later showed protesters blocking the gates of the facility while federal agents tried to leave.
Senator Andy Kim visited the center and confirmed that the escape happened through a poorly built wall made of drywall and mesh. He said officials admitted the facility is not secure and may soon move all detainees to other locations. “This shows how broken the system is under the Trump immigration plan,” Mr. Kim said during a news conference outside the center.
The Department of Homeland Security has offered a $10,000 reward for information on the four escapees. They were named as:
- Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes of Honduras (arrested for assault and threats)
- Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez of Honduras (arrested on weapons charges)
- Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada of Colombia (arrested for burglary and theft)
- Andres Pineda-Mogollon of Colombia (arrested for burglary)
The four men had entered the U.S. either illegally or had overstayed their visas. All had been arrested in New Jersey or New York.
The facility, Delaney Hall, is run by GEO Group, a private prison company that has a $1 billion deal with the Trump administration. The group said it is working with law enforcement to find the escapees and ensure safety. However, Delaney Hall has already faced criticism and lawsuits over its poor living conditions.
On Thursday, the unrest began around 4 p.m. after lunch was missed. Detainees used phones to contact their families, telling them people were breaking windows and shouting. Some said guards had left their posts. Outside, police and federal agents arrived with pepper spray and handcuffs. The smell of tear gas filled the air, according to people nearby.
By Friday morning, lawyers were told that all visits and calls were canceled. “We don’t know what’s happening to our clients,” said Karla Ostolaza from Bronx Defenders.
Relatives who had traveled from other states to see loved ones stood outside the gates, worried and confused. One woman named Cecilia said her brother called her in fear, saying people were banging on walls and breaking doors. She said, “He told me he was scared and didn’t know what would happen.”
The unrest comes as immigration arrests have increased under the Trump administration. Many detainees from New York City are now being held at Delaney Hall. The facility is close to Newark Airport and holds up to 1,000 people.
On Thursday night, protests grew more intense. Some protesters blocked a van from leaving and dragged barriers toward the gates. Officers later used pepper spray to clear the crowd.
Meanwhile, inside Delaney Hall, conditions continue to raise concerns. One detainee, Francisco Castillo, said meals are small, often late, and sometimes include expired milk. He said dinners sometimes arrive as late as 11 p.m. “Every day is a disaster with the food here,” he said.
As the search for the escapees continues, many are asking whether Delaney Hall should stay open at all. The incident has sparked new calls for reform and raised deeper questions about how migrants are treated in U.S. detention centers.