Attorney General Jennifer Davenport filed a lawsuit on June 2 against The GEO Group, Inc., the operator of the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark. The legal action seeks to grant the New Jersey Department of Health full access to inspect the facility amid ongoing concerns about unsanitary and unsafe conditions for detainees.
Governor Mikie Sherrill and other elected officials visited Delaney Hall over Memorial Day weekend after some detainees began a hunger strike protesting living conditions. According to state officials, GEO Group has not responded to requests for transparency from both government leaders and protesters, prompting health authorities to seek entry for a comprehensive inspection.
“If the GEO Group — with a $1 billion government contract — has nothing to hide and the conditions inside Delaney Hall are as safe and as sanitary as this private corporation and the Trump Administration claim, then there is no legitimate reason why my health inspectors are being kept from full access throughout the building,” said Governor Sherrill. “The people of New Jersey deserve transparency and accountability, and I will continue using all the power of this office to advocate for the detainees and their families.”
Attorney General Davenport said, “GEO Group must allow our state’s health inspectors to conduct a full inspection of Delaney Hall. The reports of unsanitary and unsafe conditions inside Delaney Hall are extremely concerning, and GEO Group—like any other business and facility in New Jersey—must follow the law. I will continue working with Governor Sherrill and Commissioner Washington to ensure that people detained inside Delaney Hall are treated with dignity and humanity.”
Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington added, “Any facility housing people in New Jersey must meet basic standards under the law to prevent the spread of disease, keep food and water safe, and minimize health risks. That includes Delaney Hall. The New Jersey Department of Health takes seriously its mission to safeguard the health and well-being of everyone in this state. Health inspections are not political — they are essential public health tools that help ensure no one in New Jersey is housed in dangerous or unsanitary conditions.”
On May 28, Department of Health inspectors were allowed limited entry but were barred from key areas such as medical units, sleeping quarters, and bathing facilities, despite repeated requests for complete access since then. The lawsuit alleges that GEO Group violated state law by denying these inspections; it also seeks an expedited injunction requiring immediate compliance.
Detainees began a hunger strike on May 22 citing spoiled food and lack of hygiene products like toilet paper or toothpaste; subsequent visits by U.S. Senator Andy Kim revealed additional complaints including denial of medical care for pregnant women or those who suffered miscarriages without treatment.
