New documents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detail a troubling escape attempt by illegal immigrants at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, on June 12, 2025. The incident highlights serious concerns about both the individuals detained and the efficiency of sanctuary state policies endorsed by Democrats.
During the event, detainees became aggressive, banging on walls and windows. Staff struggled to restore order, exposing the risks posed by some individuals housed in the facility. Initially, the GEO Group, which operates the center, was instructed to observe the situation and compile incident reports. However, this approach proved inadequate as conditions escalated. By early evening, the facility’s warden attempted to downplay the disturbance, but ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) quickly recognized the brewing crisis and advised GEO to activate its response team, if necessary.
In a surprising decision, the warden chose not to intervene, insisting that the detainees were “under control.” Minutes later, ERO’s Special Response Team from New York arrived to assist, prompted by the realization that the detainees were setting up for an escape. By 7 p.m., officers observed bedsheets draped over the outer perimeter gate, a clear indication that someone might be trying to flee.
At 7:30 p.m., it was confirmed: four detainees managed to escape by breaking through a wall, opening a faulty inner gate in the recreation yard, and climbing over the outer barbed-wire fence using the bedsheets. The situation was compounded by alarming lapses in safety protocols. ICE records indicate that the GEO security system failed to send alerts during the escape attempt. Crucially, there were no external officers stationed at the gate, nor did any GEO staff inside the unit raise alarms.
The escapees were not mere border crossers; they were listed as violent offenders charged with serious crimes such as aggravated assault, burglary, and weapons possession. Some had previously been deported and illegally re-entered the country, while others awaited hearings for serious felonies. Under the current sanctuary policies supported by Democrats, these detainees remained in New Jersey facilities instead of facing immediate deportation, which poses a serious risk to American communities.
Further complicating matters, GEO staff later reported significant delays in meal service—four hours—due to confusion over detainee counts. An inaccurate roster forced ICE personnel to perform face-to-face checks just to establish who remained in custody, underscoring a profound lack of accountability in facilities run by contractors aligned with the Democratic agenda.
For years, Republicans have cautioned that sanctuary policies, combined with lax border enforcement, would result in public safety hazards. The Newark incident serves as a stark validation of those warnings. Criminal aliens, emboldened by the leniency of the Biden administration and Democratic opposition to strict enforcement, are taking advantage of vulnerabilities across the system—from the southern border to detention centers.
In light of these developments, it is evident that Americans deserve better protection from those who have shown a blatant disregard for the law. Instead of protecting violent offenders and hampering the efforts of ICE officers, the focus should shift toward fortifying detention facilities and expediting the deportation of criminal aliens. The safety and security of communities depend on it.
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