Today, an unusual incident occurred at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark, NJ. A group of protestors, including U.S. Representatives Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman, breached the facility's security gate as a bus of detainees was entering. The group is currently occupying a guard shack at the first security checkpoint.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the situation: "Members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond a bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and detainees at risk. Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour of the facility. This is an evolving situation."
In response to claims by local politicians that Delaney Hall lacks proper permits, officials stated that all necessary permits are valid and inspections for plumbing, electricity, and fire codes have been cleared.
The detention center houses individuals with serious criminal backgrounds. Among them is Chinchilla Caballero, arrested on April 29, 2025, identified as an active MS-13 gang member with multiple TECS lookouts against him. Ramos Marin is another detainee; he was arrested on April 29, 2025, under an INTERPOL Red Notice for homicide charges in Brazil.
Saravia Santamaria was detained on May 1, 2025; he has verified ties to MS-13 and was apprehended without incident in North Bergen, NJ. Adonis Estevez Bello and Maximo Nunez were both arrested on May 5, 2025; they face various felony charges related to drug trafficking and weapons possession.
The list continues with Hugo De La Torre-Tomailla from Peru who faces charges related to sexual offenses against minors in his home country. Jaime Benjamin Sorto Amaya is another notable detainee linked to MS-13 and identified as a suspected terrorist.
Jorge Luis Sanchez-Luna remains in custody after being convicted for endangering sexual conduct with a child by caretaker in New Jersey. Lastly, Julca-Tangoa from Peru faces prosecution for aggravated sexual abuse charges in Argentina.
These arrests highlight ongoing efforts by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark alongside other federal agencies like FBI SAC Newark and HSI SAC Newark to manage immigration-related crimes effectively within their jurisdiction.
