Passaic, June 14, 2025
Federal authorities have apprehended one of teh four detainees who escaped from the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in New Jersey earlier this week.
Escapee Captured in Passaic
One of the four detainees who went missing from a New Jersey immigration detention center has been located and apprehended by authorities in Passaic.
- Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez was captured in Passaic by the FBI and ICE.
- The four detainees escaped Delaney Hall in Newark after reportedly kicking through a wall.
- Authorities are investigating the security of the Delaney Hall facility.
Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez was found in Passaic on Saturday and captured by the FBI and ICE, according to multiple senior law enforcement officials. Sandoval-Lopez was among four detainees held at the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, where ICE detains individuals facing possible deportation.
the Department of Homeland Security offered a $10,000 reward for details on Friday, one day after the detainees were reported as “unaccounted for.”
The quartet reportedly escaped by kicking through a wall at the facility. Newark Mayor ras Baraka stated that the operator lacked a permit to build the wall. New Jersey Sen. Andy kim described the construction as “essentially just dry wall with some mesh inside and that led to an exterior wall. It shows just how shoddy how construction was here.”
the men ended up in a parking lot and hopped a fence. Kim says officials in charge of Delaney Hall are examining other walls that might be vulnerable.
“They were alluding to the idea that they are going to move all detainees out of this facility,” saeid Kim.
Local and state authorities have been notified of the escaped detainees.
“Additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees and a BOLO [be on the lookout] has been disseminated,” DHS said in a statement. “We encourage the public to call 911 or the ICE Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE if they have information that may lead to the locating of these individuals.”
The Department of Homeland Security maintained that there has been no widespread unrest and that the facility remains dedicated to providing high-quality services.
Who Escaped?
The Department of Homeland Security identified the four detainees who escaped Delaney Hall as “public safety threats.”
Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes allegedly illegally entered the U.S. in 2021. on May 3, 2025, the Wayne Township, New Jersey Police Department arrested Bautista for aggravated assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, terroristic threats, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes (Credit: DHS)
Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez allegedly illegally entered the U.S. as a minor in 2019. On October 3, 2024, the New Jersey Passaic Police Department arrested Sandoval for unlawful possession of a handgun. He was arrested again on Febuary 15, 2025, by the Passaic Police Department for aggravated assault.
Joel Enrique sandoval-Lopez (Credit: DHS)
Joan Sebastian Castaneda-lozada, from Colombia, allegedly illegally entered the U.S.in 2022. On May 15, 2025, the New Jersey Hammonton Police Department arrested Castaneda for burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary.
Joan sebastian castaneda-Lozada (Credit: DHS)
Andres Pineda-Mogollon, of Colombia, overstayed a tourist visa and entered the U.S. in 2023, DHS says. On April 25, 2025, the New York City Police Department arrested Pineda for petit larceny. On May 21, 2025, the Union, New Jersey Police Department arrested Pineda for residential burglary, conspiracy residential burglary, and possession of burglary tools.
Andres Pineda-Mogollon (Credit: DHS)
What About Delaney Hall?
Delaney Hall, the location of the escape, made headlines in may after protests broke out at the 1,000-bed, privately owned facility.
Democratic U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver was charged in a criminal complaint with two assault counts stemming from a May 9 visit to the center. She was indicted on Tuesday; the indictment includes three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials.
At the same visit that resulted in McIver’s charges, Mayor Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge, which was later dropped. Baraka later filed a lawsuit against acting U.S. Attorney for new Jersey Alina Habba over what he said was a malicious prosecution.
On Friday, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker joined the chorus of local officials denouncing the conditions inside Delaney Hall, calling it “a house of horrors.” Sen. kim confirmed the reports that detainees are getting to few meals and dealing with overcrowded conditions.
A woman who said her husband is believed to be detained at the facility has lost more then 20 pounds in the last month.
“He said it hurts to lay in the beds they gave him because he’s so skinny now, they’re not feeding them,” said Rosalinda Ortega, whose husband Miguel was detained. “Yesterday I called, they said stop calling and be patient. How can I be patient when they have him and are mistreating him?”
Conditions Inside Delaney Hall: A Deep Dive
The recent escape at Delaney Hall has brought renewed scrutiny to the conditions within the immigration detention center. Local officials and advocacy groups have voiced serious concerns regarding detainee treatment. The allegations include inadequate food, overcrowding, and insufficient medical care. Thes issues raise questions about the safety and wellbeing of those held at the facility.
Reports of poor conditions within Delaney Hall are mounting. Several officials have spoken out about the situation.Senator Cory Booker described the facility as a “house of horrors.” Senator Kim also confirmed reports about the quality of life issues within the center, like low food rations and overcrowded conditions.
Rosalinda Ortega shared her husband Miguel is detained at Delaney Hall. She has noticed a important weight loss in the last month.
“He said it hurts to lay in the beds they gave him because he’s so skinny now, they’re not feeding them,” Ortega stated. “Yesterday I called,they said stop calling and be patient. How can I be patient when they have him and are mistreating him?”
These reports align with the findings of a 2024 report by human Rights Watch. That report highlighted similar concerns in other privately-operated detention centers.
Why the Concerns?
Several factors contribute to the escalating concerns about the conditions inside Delaney Hall.
- Overcrowding: The facility is operating near or above its intended capacity. This leads to a shortage of resources.
- Inadequate Nutrition: Detainees report getting too little food.This has led to significant weight loss and health concerns.
- Insufficient Healthcare: Limited access to medical care means minor issues can worsen and take a toll on detainees.
These issues,as reported,are compounded by the emotional toll of detention and fear of deportation.
What’s Next?
With increasing scrutiny, the future of Delaney Hall remains uncertain. Several potential outcomes could arise.
- Investigations: Federal authorities and advocacy groups are performing investigations. These may lead to structural improvements.
- Policy Changes: The growing pressure may result in policy changes. These could address the quality of life concerns.
- Potential Closures: considering the severity of the issues,there is a possibility of closing the facility.
The focus right now centers on improvements to conditions.
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