Four migrants escaped from the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday night amid a climate of tension and reports of poor detention conditions, which also sparked protests around the facility.
The escape occurred amid disturbances both inside and outside the facility, prompting an immediate response from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which classified the fugitives as "threats to public safety," and offered a reward of $10,000 for any information leading to their recapture.
According to an official statement from the DHS, the four immigrants were identified as Franklin Norberto Bautista Reyes and Joel Enrique Sandoval López, both from Honduras; and Joan Sebastián Castañeda Lozada and Andrés Pinda Mogollón, from Colombia.
They are all undocumented immigrants accused of serious crimes.
Who are the fugitives?: Details about their criminal backgrounds
Reports from DHS and media outlets such as Fox News and The Associated Press reveal that the four men had significant criminal records, which reinforces the concerns of the authorities.
Franklin Norberto Bautista Reyes, a Honduran, entered the United States illegally in 2021.
He was arrested by the Wayne Township Police Department in New Jersey on May 3, charged with aggravated assault, attempted bodily injury, making terrorist threats, and possession of a weapon for illegal purposes.
Joel Enrique Sandoval López, also Honduran, entered as an unaccompanied minor in 2019.
He was arrested in October for illegal possession of a firearm and again on February 15 for aggravated assault in Passaic.
In the case of Joan Sebastián Castañeda Lozada, a Colombian, he entered the U.S. in 2022.
He was arrested by the Hammonton Police Department on May 15 for burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Andrés Pinda Mogollón, also Colombian, arrived in 2023 with a tourist visa that he overstayed.
He was arrested on April 25 by the New York Police Department for theft, and again on May 21 by the Union, New Jersey police for burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and possession of burglary tools.
The DHS was unequivocal in classifying the fugitives as “illegal foreign criminals who are currently evading federal law enforcement and pose threats to public safety.”
According to the agency, the four were considered high risk and were in custody awaiting immigration or criminal proceedings.
How did the escape happen? Details of the breakout
The escape occurred amid an episode of chaos and disorder at Delaney Hall, a detention center operating under a 15-year, $1 billion contract between the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the private company GEO Group.
The center was reopened in May of this year as part of President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration policy, as reported by AP.
According to statements from Senator Andy Kim, who visited the center the day after the incident, the detainees "managed to break through an inner wall that led to an outer one and from there escaped to a parking lot."
The immigration lawyer, Mustafa Cetin, who represents one of the detainees, provided more details to the outlet NJ.com.
"Apparently, the guards lost control ... they blocked the security cameras, and some of them entered a housing unit with a very thin wall and tore it down."
Cetin added that, according to his client, the inmates “hung sheets, likely as an attempt to conceal the escape.”
The last time the fugitives were spotted, they were running near the Turnpike 78 and Delancey Street, according to reports from PIX11 News and Univision.
Official reaction and search operation
The authorities' response was immediate. The DHS, along with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, launched an operation to apprehend the fugitives.
Alerts were issued to all local police departments, and their names, photographs, and charges were disseminated.
The DHS warned that "other law enforcement agencies have been called in to locate these fugitives, and a search warrant has been issued."
A senior DHS official urged the public to contact emergency hotlines or the ICE number if they have relevant information.
The reward offered for accurate information amounts to 10,000 dollars.
What caused the chaos in Delaney Hall? Complaints about poor conditions
The escape did not happen in a vacuum. Various testimonies agree that the conditions of detention in Delaney Hall are deplorable, which allegedly sparked a series of disturbances that same afternoon.
According to The New York Times, lawyers for immigrants held at the center described a situation of "poor food conditions" and widespread dissatisfaction.
"During lunch, a fight reportedly broke out that escalated quickly," the outlet stated.
A former detainee reported to Univision that he spent 28 days at Delaney Hall and that he was treated "worse than an animal," describing the environment as unsanitary and chaotic.
Relatives of inmates also reported that many detainees went over 20 hours without food and that they ultimately received only "a small portion." A woman stated that her husband called her, worried because they were not feeding them.
Protests Outside: Demonstrations, Repression, and Arrests
As chaos unfolded inside the center, protesters gathered outside in support of those detained.
According to Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, the protesters were violently pushed back: “Some officers sprayed pepper spray, knocked down, and dragged the protesters.”
Videos shared on social media and by the press show people shouting, “Free them all!” outside the facilities.
At 9:00 PM, a group of protesters succeeded in preventing an all-terrain vehicle from exiting through a side door, forcing it to reverse.
Professor Whitney Strub from Rutgers-Newark University recounted that "everyone outside the jail started coughing at the same time," describing it as a possible exposure to tear gas.
Official denial and political questioning
Despite the numerous complaints, both DHS and GEO Group denied that there were widespread disturbances.
In a statement, GEO declared: "There are no widespread disturbances in the center."
The DHS, for its part, stated that Delaney Hall "remains dedicated to providing high-quality services," including 24-hour medical care, dietitian-approved meals, and religious services.
However, the local authorities do not share that view.
The mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, accused Delaney Hall of operating without permits and obstructing municipal inspections.
Baraka was arrested a month ago during a protest in the downtown area.
"We demand transparency and the immediate closure of these facilities," he stated.
Media outlets like Gothamist reported that federal officials have initiated the complete evacuation of the inmates and that the closure of Delaney Hall is imminent.
The escape of four immigrants from the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark is not merely an episode of security failure. It reflects a deeper crisis within the U.S. immigration detention system: privatized facilities with minimal oversight, inhumane conditions, a lack of transparency, and delayed responses from the government.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Migrant Crisis in Delaney Hall
Who are the migrants who escaped from the Delaney Hall detention center?
The escaped migrants are Franklin Norberto Bautista Reyes and Joel Enrique Sandoval López, both from Honduras, and Joan Sebastián Castañeda Lozada and Andrés Pinda Mogollón, from Colombia. They have significant criminal records, making them a threat to public safety according to the DHS.
What conditions led to the escape at Delaney Hall?
The escape occurred in a context of chaos and disorder due to the reported poor detention conditions at Delaney Hall, which triggered riots. Lawyers and former detainees have reported unsanitary conditions, lack of adequate food, and mistreatment, which would have exacerbated tensions within the center.
What actions have the authorities taken to recapture the migrants?
The Department of Homeland Security, along with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, has launched a search operation. A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information leading to their capture. Authorities have alerted all local police departments and distributed the names and photographs of the fugitives.
How has the community and organizations reacted to the situation at Delaney Hall?
The community and several organizations have expressed their discontent through protests outside the detention center. During these demonstrations, participants have denounced the excessive use of force by the authorities and have demanded better conditions for the detainees. The protests have also included clashes with ICE agents.
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