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, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that four detainees escaped from the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. Reports indicate that the detainees managed to break through an interior wall during a period of unrest at the facility, which was exacerbated by protests outside related to conditions within the center, including allegations of inadequate food and treatment (AP News, BBC). The escapees include two Colombian men and two Honduran men, with the latter identified as Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes and Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, who were facing serious charges such as aggravated assault (AP News, Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that four detainees escaped from the Delaney Hall Detention Facility is supported by multiple credible sources, including the DHS itself, which has publicly acknowledged the escape and is coordinating with law enforcement to locate the detainees (NBC News). The reports from the Associated Press and BBC corroborate the details of the escape, including the context of unrest within the facility due to protests over poor conditions (AP News, BBC).
The reliability of these sources is generally high; both the Associated Press and BBC are well-respected news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The information from DHS, while official, is also subject to scrutiny given the political context surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. However, the consistency of reports across multiple outlets lends credibility to the claims made.
Furthermore, the unrest at the detention center, which included reports of delayed meals and a subsequent riot, provides a plausible explanation for how the escape occurred. Eyewitness accounts from detainees' families and legal representatives suggest that the situation escalated to a point where detainees felt compelled to act out of desperation (AP News, BBC).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that four detainees escaped from an immigration detention center in New Jersey is accurate, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security and corroborated by multiple reputable news sources. The escape occurred amid reported unrest and protests related to poor conditions within the facility, which adds context to the incident.
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 detainees escape from migrant facility in New Jersey
- Four escape migrant detention center in Newark, N.J.
- Four detainees at Newark immigration facility have escaped
