Four individuals have escaped a federal immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey.
An estimated 50 detainees led a revolt at the facility, pushing down a wall after learning that meals were delayed, an immigration attorney told NJ.com.
“It’s about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive and it turned violent,” attorney Mustafa Cetin told the outlet. “Based on what he told me, it was an outer wall, not very strong, and they were able to push it down.”
Law enforcement officers with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI are offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to the escapees. “DHS has become aware of four detainees at the privately held Delaney Hall Detention Facility escaping. Additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees and a BOLO has been disseminated,” a Senior DHS Official said. “We encourage the public to call 911 or the ICE Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE if they have information that may lead to the locating of these individuals. DHS and the FBI are offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of these public safety threats.”
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said his office is “concerned about reports of what has transpired at Delaney Hall,” claiming that the issue involves “withholding food and poor treatment.”
“This entire situation lacks sufficient oversight of every basic detail — including local zoning laws and fundamental constitutional rights. This is why city officials and our congressional delegation need to be allowed entry to observe and monitor, any why private prisons pose a very real problem to our state and its constitution,” he said. “We demand immediate answers and clear communication with the GEO Group and the Department of Homeland Security. We must put an end to this chaos and not allow this operation to continue unchecked.”
