New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against the operator of a migrant detention center in Newark, escalating a growing dispute over conditions inside the facility and access for state health inspectors.
The legal action targets GEO Group, the private company that operates Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center that has become the focus of protests and political debate in recent months.
State officials allege that inspectors were denied full access to the facility while attempting to investigate reports of possible health and safety concerns. According to the lawsuit, the New Jersey Department of Health received complaints related to food preparation, food storage, and potential tuberculosis infection control issues inside the center.
The state argues that health inspectors must be allowed to carry out comprehensive inspections to ensure that detainees are being housed in safe and sanitary conditions.
Officials claim that inspectors attempted to visit Delaney Hall on May 27 but were turned away. The lawsuit states that GEO Group cited a large number of congressional visitors as the reason for denying entry that day.
Inspectors were later allowed into the facility on May 28. However, New Jersey alleges that the visit was heavily restricted. The lawsuit claims that inspectors were not given full access to all areas of the building, including the medical unit.
State leaders have questioned why certain parts of the facility remained inaccessible during the inspection.
Governor Mikie Sherrill said the public deserves transparency regarding conditions inside the detention center. She argued that if the facility is operating safely, there should be no reason to limit inspections by health officials.
The Department of Homeland Security rejected the allegations and described the lawsuit as without merit. Federal officials stated that inspectors were granted access and that the facility complies with all applicable state and local regulations.
The agency said four health department representatives were allowed to enter Delaney Hall and inspect food service operations. Federal officials also maintained that immigration authorities remain committed to transparency.
The dispute comes as concerns continue to grow among immigration advocates and community groups. Activists have claimed that some detainees launched a hunger strike in late May to protest conditions inside the center.
Federal authorities have denied reports of a widespread hunger strike. Government officials said only a small number of detainees had refused meals and insisted that adequate food was being provided.
Delaney Hall has become a major gathering point for demonstrations against immigration enforcement policies. Protesters have repeatedly assembled outside the facility, with some events leading to confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers.
One recent protest drew national attention after Senator Andy Kim reported being affected by pepper spray while visiting the area.
Local officials have expressed concern about rising tensions near the detention center. Governor Sherrill recently criticized some protesters for actions she described as aggressive and dangerous toward police officers.
In response to ongoing demonstrations, city officials imposed an overnight curfew around the facility. Protesters were allowed to gather in designated areas before the restriction took effect. Police later escorted demonstrators from the area without making arrests.
Meanwhile, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has called for the immediate closure of Delaney Hall. He announced that the city is pursuing legal options aimed at shutting down the detention center.
Baraka said the issue goes beyond politics and centers on how people are treated while in custody. He pledged that Newark would continue monitoring activities around the facility and maintain a police presence when necessary.
The lawsuit adds another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding immigration detention practices in the United States. As legal challenges continue and protests persist, Delaney Hall remains at the center of a broader discussion about oversight, transparency, and the treatment of detainees.
The outcome of the case could determine whether state health officials receive broader access to the New Jersey Migrant Facility and may influence future oversight of detention centers across the state.
