Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, previously arrested outside the facility, condemned the oversight and demanded transparency.
Four detainees escaped from Delaney Hall, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Newark, amid rising tensions over reported inhumane conditions, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Friday. It remains unclear how or when the escape occurred. “Additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees,” DHS said, urging the public to call 911 or the ICE Tip Line with information.
Reports surfaced of detainees not being fed for 20 hours and receiving only minimal food. “They weren’t feeding them … everybody got crazy,” a family member said. A recently released detainee described conditions as worse than for animals.
Sen. Andy Kim and Rep. Rob Menendez conducted an unannounced inspection Friday. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, previously arrested outside the facility, condemned the oversight and demanded transparency. Rep. Lamonica McIver, facing related charges, added: “I have serious concerns about the reports of abusive circumstances at the facility.”