New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has filed a lawsuit against The GEO Group, Inc., operator of the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, seeking to compel full access for state health inspectors amidst documented concerns about inhumane and unsanitary conditions. The legal action comes after the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) was repeatedly denied comprehensive entry to the facility, violating state law.
The state's efforts to inspect Delaney Hall intensified following a hunger strike by detainees over Memorial Day weekend, protesting deplorable living conditions. Governor Mikie Sherrill and other elected officials visited the facility, but The GEO Group refused demands for transparency. DOH inspectors were granted limited access on May 28, 2026, but were barred from crucial areas including the medical unit, sleeping quarters, and bathing and toileting facilities, and have since been denied further full inspections.
"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. Attorney General Davenport added, "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."
Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington emphasized that "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 lawsuit, filed in Superior Court in Essex County, alleges state law violations and seeks an expedited injunction to grant DOH inspectors complete access to the entire facility.
An inspection is crucial to verify whether protocols inside Delaney Hall pose a serious risk to detainees or the public, including employees and visitors, by allowing the unchecked spread of illness. Detainees have reported issues such as spoiled food, lack of basic hygiene products, undrinkable water, denied medical care, and the spread of diseases like flu and COVID-19. A detainee was also reportedly taken to University Hospital with tuberculosis.
Under state statute, the DOH Commissioner has the authority to inspect public and private detention centers and has "full access" to premises where violations are suspected, to protect public health.