Fact Check: "Four people detained at an immigration detention center in New Jersey have escaped, according to the Department of Homeland Security."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, reports confirmed that four detainees escaped from the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the escapees managed to breach security by breaking through an interior wall and then an exterior wall, leading to their escape into a parking lot (source-2). The escape occurred amid significant unrest within the facility, attributed to dissatisfaction over food shortages and overcrowding (source-3).
The four escapees were identified as Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes and Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez from Honduras, and two Colombian nationals, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada and Andres Pineda-Mogollon, all of whom had prior criminal charges (source-3). Following the escape, DHS announced a reward of $10,000 for information leading to their capture (source-1).
Analysis
The reports of the escape have been corroborated by multiple reliable sources, including the Associated Press and The New York Times, both of which provide detailed accounts of the events leading up to the escape. These sources indicate that the escape was facilitated by a disturbance among detainees, which was reportedly triggered by inadequate meal service and overcrowding conditions (source-2, source-3).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of covering immigration issues and detention facilities. The DHS's involvement adds an official layer of credibility to the claims, as they are the governing body overseeing the detention center. However, it is important to note that DHS has downplayed the extent of the unrest, stating that the facility remains committed to providing high-quality services, which contrasts with the accounts from detainees and their families regarding the conditions inside (source-3).
The conflicting narratives between DHS and eyewitness accounts suggest a potential bias in the official statements, as they may seek to minimize the perceived chaos and unrest at the facility. Nonetheless, the core fact of the escape is supported by multiple independent reports.
Conclusion
The claim that four people detained at an immigration detention center in New Jersey have escaped, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security, is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources corroborates the details of the escape and the circumstances surrounding it, including the unrest that led to the breach of security at the facility.
Sources
- Law Enforcement Offers $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest of 4 Dangerous Criminal Illegal Aliens who Escaped from Delaney Hall
- 4 detainees escape Newark, New Jersey, immigration detention center
- Four Men Escape From Migrant Detention Facility in Newark
- Newark ICE detainees escape after disturbance over food
