Four detainees at an immigration detention center in New Jersey are currently unaccounted for, as confirmed by law enforcement officials on Friday. The situation escalated following what the city's mayor described as an uprising at the facility. According to federal officials, the detainees have successfully escaped from Delaney Hall in Newark, a privately owned facility contracted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
A be-on-the-lookout notice has been issued, and a comprehensive search operation is in progress to locate the escaped detainees. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka expressed deep concern over the reports coming from Delaney Hall, highlighting issues such as food deprivation and poor living conditions. In a statement released late Thursday, Baraka demanded immediate answers from the facility's owner, GEO Group, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver, who represents Newark, is closely monitoring the situation following alarming reports of unrest at the facility. In her statement on Thursday, she voiced serious concerns regarding the alleged abusive conditions reported by both news organizations and advocates. “Even now, as we are hearing reports...about a lack of food and basic rights for those inside, the administration appears to be stonewalling efforts to learn the truth,” McIver remarked. Her office has reached out to ICE for clarification, but there has been no response thus far.
When approached for comments regarding the detainees' escape, ICE redirected inquiries to the DHS, which has yet to provide any statements. Meanwhile, the GEO Group has referred ABC News to law enforcement for further information. On Friday morning, U.S. Senator Andy Kim and Representative Rob Menendez were present at Delaney Hall, engaging with facility leaders as the situation unfolded.
This incident is not the first controversy surrounding Delaney Hall. Last month, McIver and other congressional representatives conducted oversight at the facility, during which McIver was accused of assaulting law enforcement officers while attempting to prevent Baraka's arrest. A federal grand jury has since indicted McIver for allegedly interfering with federal law enforcement operations. In response, McIver characterized the prosecution as a "brazen attempt at political intimidation," asserting her intention to plead not guilty. Baraka faced charges of trespassing during the same incident, though those charges were later dropped.
This incident is ongoing, and authorities are still working to ascertain the full scope of the situation at Delaney Hall. As developments occur, readers are encouraged to check back for updates on this critical situation affecting the New Jersey immigration detention center.
