A riot erupted at Newark’s Delaney Hall ICE detention center over delayed meals, leading to property destruction and the escape of multiple detainees while protesters outside hindered law enforcement’s response.

At a Glance

• Up to 50 detainees rioted at the Newark ICE facility after meals were reportedly delayed for up to 20 hours
• At least four detainees escaped by creating makeshift ropes from bedsheets to flee from third-floor windows
• Protesters outside the facility blocked federal agents responding to the riot, hampering containment efforts
• A manhunt is underway for the escaped detainees, who include individuals accused of serious crimes
• The facility had recently reopened under a $900 million deal with the Trump administration

Riot Breaks Out Over Meal Delays

Chaos erupted at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey when detainees became enraged over delayed meals. Sources indicate that detainees had gone without food for up to 20 hours, triggering a violent response that quickly escalated into a full-scale riot. The disturbance involved as many as 50 detainees who took control of portions of the facility, causing extensive property damage and creating opportunities for escape.

Detainees reportedly began smashing windows and destroying facility infrastructure in protest of the food situation. Private security personnel and ICE agents on site struggled to maintain control as the situation deteriorated. During the chaos, several detainees managed to create makeshift ropes using bedsheets, which they used to escape from their third-floor dormitory.

Anti-ICE Rioters Pepper-Sprayed by Federal Agents After Attempting to Block FBI Vehicles in Newark

Chaos erupted outside the Newark ICE facility as anti-ICE rioters attempted to block FBI vehicles from leaving following the escape of nine migrants.

Federal agents responded… https://t.co/YAGt5gEytD pic.twitter.com/hgO9pzQAIU

— News is Dead (@newsisdead) June 13, 2025

Protests Complicate Law Enforcement Response

Complicating the situation, protesters had gathered outside the facility before and during the riot. As federal agents attempted to respond to the emergency, demonstrators reportedly formed barricades to block entrances, significantly hindering law enforcement efforts to contain the situation. Video footage shows protesters confronting authorities, with some physical altercations occurring as officials tried to access the facility.

This incident follows an earlier controversy at the same facility where U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was charged with assaulting a federal officer during a previous incident. Multiple police agencies responded to the riot, including local law enforcement and federal agents, but their effectiveness was compromised by the protests occurring simultaneously outside.

A journalist was pepper sprayed tonight alongside community members blockading ICE vans at the Delaney Hall ICE concentration camp, where today 9 escaped, prisoners are rioting inside and community is protesting on the outside in resistance to Gestapo violence. Still ongoing. https://t.co/jKkuTTp1ig

— Unity of Fields (@unityoffields) June 13, 2025

Escape Details and Ongoing Manhunt

At least four detainees successfully escaped during the chaos, with some using improvised rope systems made from bedsheets. Others reportedly took advantage of structural weaknesses in the facility that were exposed during the riot. A “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) alert has been issued for the escapees, and a multi-agency manhunt is currently underway across the Newark area.

According to sources, the facility houses individuals accused of serious crimes, including murder and rape, raising public safety concerns about the escapees. The Department of Homeland Security has been contacted for comment but has not yet released detailed information about the identities of the escaped detainees or the specific threat they may pose to the community.

Facility Background and Political Context

Delaney Hall Detention Facility is operated by the GEO Group, a private contractor that manages detention centers across the country. The facility was recently reopened following a $900 million deal with the Trump administration, chosen for its strategic location and additional capacity needs. This privatized detention center has become a focal point in the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement policies.

Newark’s Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka issued a statement expressing concern about the situation but focused primarily on constitutional rights and local zoning laws rather than addressing the actions of the detainees or protesters. The incident has reignited controversy over ICE detention practices and the role of private contractors in managing federal detention facilities.