Newark ICE Escape: DHS Hunts 4 'Public Safety Threats' with $10,000 Reward

In a startling turn of events, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified four migrants who escaped from Delaney Hall, a privately run ICE detention facility in Newark, as public safety threats. These individuals, still at large since their breakout on Thursday night, have sparked a manhunt with a $10,000 reward for information leading to their capture.

The escapees, identified as Honduran nationals Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes and Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, and Colombian nationals Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada and Andres Pineda-Mogollon, carry a history of serious felony charges. Their rap sheets include aggravated assault, unlawful possession of weapons, terroristic threats, burglary, and larceny—crimes that paint a troubling picture of potential danger to the public.

Details surrounding the escape reveal a chaotic scene at Delaney Hall. Reports suggest that unrest brewed among detainees over delayed meals, escalating to the point where around 50 individuals allegedly pushed down a dormitory wall. An immigration attorney noted the wall was surprisingly weak, and some detainees even attempted to use bedsheets in their bid for freedom. Outside, local police and protesters clashed, with reports of gas exposure causing discomfort to those nearby.

The DHS has pushed back on claims of widespread unrest, emphasizing that the facility offers high-quality services, from medical care to legal access. Yet, the escape of these four individuals raises serious questions about security protocols at such facilities. A senior DHS official confirmed that additional law enforcement has been deployed, and a 'Be On the Lookout' alert has been issued. The public is urged to provide any information via emergency services or the ICE tip line.

As this manhunt unfolds near Turnpike 78 and Delancey Street, the incident shines a harsh light on the challenges of managing detention centers and the broader issues of immigration enforcement. These escapees aren’t just fugitives; they’re a stark reminder of the complex intersection of policy, security, and human desperation.