Escapes from Delaney Hall Ice Detention Facility
On Thursday evening, four individuals escaped from the Delaney Hall Ice Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. This was confirmed by officials, and law enforcement agencies have been mobilized to track down the escapees.
Immigration attorney Mustafa Setin shared that around 50 detainees at the facility engaged in a disturbance, reportedly tearing down walls in their dorm after becoming upset over a delay in food service. “It’s primarily about food, and some detainees were said to be aggressive,” he noted.
Setin mentioned that his client described the wall as “not very strong” and suggested that detainees might have been using it to attempt an escape. There were also reports of a gas smell during the chaos.
By around 6 PM, a substantial police presence, including officers from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, was noted outside the facility. Professor Whitney Straub from Rutgers University captured images of the scene, stating that he and others were “coughing” in response to the situation occurring within.
Later, a group of protesters blocked an SUV from exiting the facility, prompting it to return inside. Reports from PIX11 News indicated that escapees were sighted near Turnpike 78 and Delancey Street.
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka expressed concern regarding the events at Delaney Hall, stressing issues ranging from food shortages to poor treatment of detainees. “The lack of oversight on basic operations, including local zoning laws and constitutional rights, is troubling,” he stated. Baraka emphasized the need for city officials to monitor the situation closely and called for clear communication with the GEO Group and Homeland Security.
This incident occurred just two days after Representative Lamonica McIver faced federal charges linked to a prior visit to Delaney Hall. During that visit, McIver was accompanied by Mayor Baraka among others for what was described as surveillance. While Baraka was initially charged with trespassing, those charges were later dismissed.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with information regarding the escaped individuals to contact 911 or the Ice Tip Line.
