Four Detainees Escape Newark ICE Facility Amid Allegations of Inhumane Conditions and Growing Protests
Four individuals being held at a federal immigration detention facility in New Jersey escaped custody this week, an incident that has intensified criticism of the center and reignited protests over the treatment of detainees.
The escape took place at Delaney Hall, a privately run, 1,000-bed detention center in Newark used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since its opening in May, the facility has drawn growing scrutiny from lawmakers and advocates. Newark’s own mayor and a sitting U.S. congresswoman were previously arrested during demonstrations at the site.
The men have been identified as:
Andres Pineda-Mogollon, also from Colombia, arrived in 2023 on a visa but overstayed. He was arrested in April for petit larceny, and in May for residential burglary and related offenses.
ICE and DHS officials have not confirmed whether the four men have legal representation. CNN has contacted local police for additional case information.
Authorities Mobilize Nationwide Search
A BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert has been issued, and the public is being urged to contact 911 or call the ICE tip line at 866-DHS-2-ICE if they have any relevant information.
Detention Facility Conditions Under Fire
While the agency stated there was no widespread unrest, a law enforcement response followed reports of a disturbance.
Amy Torres, Executive Director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, said she was at the facility during the incident. She cited firsthand accounts from detainees’ family members who reported that the altercation began after some individuals were served a minimal lunch following over 20 hours without food.
“Chronic food shortages, undrinkable water, collapsing infrastructure, and staff shortages created the conditions for this chaos,” Torres told CNN on Friday. “This should be the last day GEO Group is permitted to operate in New Jersey.”
GEO Group, a private prison contractor that runs Delaney Hall, has long been criticized by immigrant rights groups for allegedly maintaining substandard conditions in its facilities across the country.
Congressional Calls for Oversight
Political leaders have echoed demands for urgent intervention. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) described the conditions inside Delaney Hall as “untenable” and called on DHS to take “immediate action” to address detainee treatment.
Several members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, including Representative LaMonica McIver—who was arrested during a protest at Delaney Hall in May—have urged the House Oversight Committee to launch a full investigation. In a letter obtained by CNN, lawmakers cited “disturbing accounts” of mistreatment within the facility and called for swift accountability.
A Broader Climate of Protest
The escape comes as nationwide protests continue to escalate against ICE and the broader immigration enforcement strategy under President Donald Trump. Demonstrations began in downtown Los Angeles following high-profile immigration raids, prompting the president to federalize the National Guard—a move that was opposed by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
More unrest is anticipated over the weekend, as over 2,000 “No Kings” protests are planned to take place across all 50 states. These events are meant to challenge what organizers describe as “authoritarian tendencies,” militarization, and policies that prioritize billionaires over everyday Americans.
As scrutiny intensifies, the escape from Delaney Hall has become a flashpoint for activists, lawmakers, and citizens concerned about civil liberties, detention standards, and the future of immigration enforcement in the United States.
In the wake of four detainees escaping from Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention facility in Newark, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement defending the center’s operations. Despite mounting criticism, DHS described the facility as one that remains “committed to delivering high-quality services.” According to the agency, detainees have “24/7 access to medical care, legal and family visitation (in-person and virtual), access to legal and general libraries, translation services, dietitian-approved meals, religious accommodations, recreational activities, and support for practicing religious beliefs.”
But local officials and activists are painting a very different picture of conditions inside the facility — and blaming a lack of oversight for the escape.
Mayor: Detainees Escaped by Breaking Through Wall
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka posted a scathing critique on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that preliminary reports indicate the detainees managed to escape by “kicking through an interior wall.” According to Baraka, the city never received any permit applications from GEO Group, the private company operating the facility, for constructing that wall — a process that would have required inspection and approval.
Baraka also reminded the public that Newark filed a formal complaint against ICE in March for failing to adhere to basic building safety requirements.
In a prior post, the mayor expressed concern over various reports emerging from the facility, including allegations of poor treatment, food deprivation, and unrest.
Friday Protest Ends in Clashes with Officers
Tensions escalated further on Friday as another protest was held outside Delaney Hall. Protesters shook and kicked the fencing surrounding the facility, prompting a forceful response from ICE agents. Video footage obtained by CNN shows officers armed with batons and weapons pushing protesters to the ground, yelling at them to disperse. At least one demonstrator was filmed being physically restrained and carried away by officers.
The demonstration was part of a wider surge of national protests against federal immigration policy and detention conditions. Delaney Hall has become a lightning rod for criticism, especially after the recent escape and ongoing reports of mistreatment.
Previous Arrests of Elected Officials at Facility
This isn’t the first time the facility has drawn national attention. Last month, multiple Democratic lawmakers were arrested during a protest against Delaney Hall’s operations. Among them was Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was briefly detained for trespassing — a charge that was eventually dropped. Baraka has since filed a lawsuit against New Jersey’s chief federal prosecutor, accusing the office of political retaliation.
Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was also arrested during the same protest and now faces serious federal charges. She has been indicted by a grand jury on allegations of forcibly impeding federal law enforcement officers, an unusual charge for a sitting member of Congress. McIver, however, insists the case is politically motivated and the accusations are “completely unfounded.”
Broader Pattern of Escapes from U.S. Detention Centers
The incident in Newark comes amid a spate of jailbreaks across the country. In Louisiana, eight detainees have been recaptured, but two remain at large after a mass escape from a New Orleans jail. And in Arkansas, a former police chief convicted of rape and murder escaped from prison earlier this month but was later caught.
These cases are raising alarm bells about safety and accountability in both public and private detention systems nationwide.
As the investigation into the Delaney Hall escape continues, both federal and local authorities are facing renewed pressure to overhaul oversight mechanisms, ensure humane treatment of detainees, and enforce compliance with safety and construction regulations.