At least four migrant detainees escaped from the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, on June 12, 2025, following a violent disturbance inside the center345. The incident began when around 50 detainees, frustrated by delays and poor quality of meals, joined forces to tear down a wall in a dormitory area4. According to a lawyer representing one of the inmates, the wall was not particularly sturdy, making it possible for the group to breach it and attempt an escape4.
Escape and Manhunt
After breaching the wall, several migrants managed to flee the facility. Reports indicate that the escapees were last seen running near Turnpike 78 and Delancey Street in Newark, prompting a manhunt by law enforcement agencies35. Sheets were reportedly hung up during the incident, possibly to aid the escape, and there was mention of a noticeable smell of gas at the scene4.
Facility and Context
Delaney Hall, operated by the private prison company GEO Group under a $1 billion, 15-year contract with the federal government, was reopened on May 1, 2025, as part of a renewed crackdown on undocumented immigrants under the Trump administration127. The facility has a capacity of around 1,000 beds and has become a flashpoint for protests and political controversy, with frequent demonstrations outside and legal challenges regarding its operation without proper city permits127.
Protests and Security Response
On the evening of the escape, approximately 30 protesters were gathered outside Delaney Hall, as has become common since the facility’s reopening16. Witnesses reported a significant law enforcement presence arriving at the scene following the disturbance, with heavily armed officers from various agencies stationed at the facility’s entrance4. Protesters and visitors outside the facility also reported hearing popping noises and experiencing an irritant in the air, although official details about the use of force or chemical agents have not been confirmed6.
Ongoing Investigation
ICE and local authorities have launched a search operation for the escaped detainees, but as of the latest reports, no official statement has been released by ICE regarding the incident or the status of the escapees356. The event has further fueled criticism and protests against the facility and the broader immigration enforcement policies currently in place126.
Summary Table: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | June 12, 2025 |
| Facility | Delaney Hall Detention Facility, Newark, NJ |
| Operator | GEO Group (private prison company) |
| Detainees Involved | ~50 in disturbance; at least 4 escaped |
| Cause | Frustration over meal delays and quality |
| Method | Tearing down a dormitory wall |
| Status | Manhunt underway; ICE has not issued an official statement |
| Context | Facility recently reopened; ongoing protests and legal challenges |
Quote from a lawyer representing a detainee:
“It’s primarily about the food, and some detainees became confrontational, leading to violence… From what he described, it was an external wall, not particularly sturdy, and they managed to bring it down.” 4
This incident highlights ongoing tensions at Delaney Hall and the broader controversy surrounding immigration detention policies in New Jersey and nationwide1246.
- https://english.elpais.com/usa/2025-06-09/the-newark-residents-who-never-leave-the-side-of-migrants-locked-up-in-delaney-hall.html
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/05/29/delaney-hall-the-new-jersey-prison-epitomizing-trump-s-deportation-campaign_6741814_4.html
- https://nypost.com/2025/06/12/us-news/at-least-four-migrants-escape-new-jersey-ice-detention-center-sources/
- https://www.nj.com/essex/2025/06/ice-detainees-tear-down-a-wall-in-uprising-at-nj-detention-facility-lawyer-says.html
- https://news.yahoo.com/migrants-escape-ice-detention-center-014731028.html
- https://newjersey.news12.com/large-group-of-demonstrators-gather-outside-newarks-delaney-hall
- https://apnews.com/article/new-jersey-immigration-detention-center-delaney-hall-fa6b16870bd033c5a66499e5d5963c0c
- https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/detainees-missing-ice-facility-newark/6301147/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvXBF5xGTxk
- https://local.newsbreak.com/new-york-post-509648/4049904381466-at-least-four-migrants-escape-new-jersey-ice-detention-center-sources\
Sources: tv503.com/?p=27182