Authorities are currently searching for four detainees who have escaped from a federal immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, amidst reports of unrest at the facility, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Additional law enforcement partners have been called in to help locate the missing detainees from Delaney Hall, as stated in an email attributed to a senior DHS official. However, the specific law enforcement agencies involved have not been disclosed, and the identities of the escapees remain unknown.

Newark's mayor mentioned a possible uprising and escape following disturbances at the facility on Thursday night. Protesters outside the center were seen demonstrating, pushing against barricades as vehicles entered and exited the gates. Many details surrounding the incident are still unclear.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement established a 1,000-bed facility at Delaney Hall earlier this year under a 15-year, $1 billion contract as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to combat illegal immigration.

Reports and footage from outside the facility on Thursday showed protesters pushing against the gates amid claims that detainees inside were upset about delayed meals.

Amy Torres, the executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, reported that some officers used pepper spray and physical force to remove protesters from the area. While some protesters sustained minor injuries, no one was struck by the vehicles.

An attorney representing a detainee at the facility stated that violence erupted among detainees due to meal delays. The attorney described how detainees were able to push down a weak outer wall during the incident.

Attorneys with clients at Delaney Hall had their calls canceled and were unable to gain access to the facility on Friday, according to Araceti Argueta, a spokesperson for the American Friends Service Committee.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka expressed concerns about the situation at Delaney Hall and called for an end to the chaos. Reports indicated that detainees were receiving inadequate portions of food, with breakfast served at 6 a.m., dinner at 10 p.m., and no lunch.

GEO Group, the facility's owner, directed inquiries to ICE for further information. Newark was among four New Jersey cities sued this year over sanctuary policies.

ICE, which had over 53,000 individuals in custody as of May, faces challenges with capacity and increasing arrest demands. The agency's enforcement actions have drawn criticism from Democratic officials and sparked clashes with the administration.

Delaney Hall has been at the center of disputes this year between Democratic officials advocating for more oversight and those responsible for managing the facility. Recent incidents involving arrests and charges against officials have added to the tensions surrounding the facility.