Fact Check: "The GEO Group, which operates the Delaney Hall facility, stated that it is working with ICE to locate the escaped detainees."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, four detainees escaped from the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. The escape occurred amid reports of unrest and dissatisfaction among detainees regarding food and treatment conditions at the facility. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the escape and indicated that "additional law enforcement partners" were involved in the search for the detainees (AP News, BBC).
GEO Group, the private company operating Delaney Hall, issued a statement asserting its commitment to providing high-quality services to those in its care, but did not explicitly confirm its collaboration with ICE in the search for the escaped detainees (PBS). The nature of the "law enforcement partners" mentioned by DHS remains unspecified, leading to ambiguity about the extent of GEO Group's involvement (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that GEO Group is working with ICE to locate the escaped detainees is partially true. While it is clear that DHS is coordinating a search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, GEO Group's statement does not explicitly confirm its active participation in this effort. The company has emphasized its dedication to service quality, which may imply a level of cooperation, but lacks direct acknowledgment of working with ICE specifically on this incident.
The reports surrounding the escape highlight significant unrest within the facility, attributed to poor conditions and delayed meals, which may have contributed to the detainees' actions (New York Times, NBC News). The context of the escape, including protests and allegations of mistreatment, raises questions about the operational environment at Delaney Hall and the overall management by GEO Group. The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident varies; while major news outlets like the AP and BBC provide factual accounts, the statements from GEO Group should be viewed with caution due to potential corporate bias (PBS, CBS News).
Conclusion
The statement that "The GEO Group, which operates the Delaney Hall facility, stated that it is working with ICE to locate the escaped detainees" is partially true. While GEO Group operates the facility and DHS is involved in the search, there is no clear evidence that GEO Group has explicitly confirmed its collaboration with ICE on this matter. The situation remains complex, with ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees and the conditions at the facility.
Sources
- 4 detainees escape Newark, New Jersey, immigration ...
- Four detainees escape from migrant facility in New Jersey
- Four Men Escape From Migrant Detention Facility in Newark
- Four escape migrant detention center in Newark ...
- 4 detainees escaped from an immigration detention center ...
- Four detainees at Newark immigration facility have ...
- Homeland Security search for four detainees missing from Delaney Hall
- 4 detainees escaped from Newark ICE facility, DHS says. ...
