The GEO Group, a Florida company, is suing to overturn New Jersey’s ban on immigrant detention centers, claiming that the ban violates the Constitution and is interfering with their plans to open a new facility in Newark called Delaney Hall. The company stands to lose a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract worth more than $100 million due to the state ban, which they argue is in conflict with federal immigration law and undermines the enforcement of congressionally approved immigration laws within New Jersey.
The lawsuit names New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew Platkin as defendants and was filed in federal court in Trenton. New Jersey has a complex history with immigrant detention centers, which were lucrative for Bergen, Essex, and Hudson counties before the ban was signed by Murphy in August 2021. The ban was enacted after years of criticism from immigration advocates who accused the counties of profiting from detaining immigrants while denouncing conservative immigration policies.
The lawsuit also mentions a previous legal challenge from private firm CoreCivic, which led to a federal judge ruling the ban partially unconstitutional. The same judge who presided over that case will hear GEO’s appeal. Despite allegations of abuse against GEO, including reports of violence, neglect, and poor living conditions for detainees, the company denies all accusations and emphasizes its commitment to providing quality care and respecting the human rights of individuals in their facilities.
GEO currently operates more than 20 facilities for ICE throughout the U.S. with a total capacity of approximately 19,000 beds. The company has faced protests and complaints about mistreatment of detainees, but they maintain that they provide around-the-clock medical care, legal and religious services, recreational activities, and high-quality meals approved by ICE and a registered dietician. They also assert their dedication to ethical practices and treating those in their care with dignity and respect.
In New Jersey, GEO owns Delaney Hall, which previously housed up to 450 immigration detainees from various states. Last year, the Department of Homeland Security issued a request for information seeking potential detention sites for ICE, which prompted GEO to propose using Delaney Hall. The company claims to have made significant upgrades to the facility to meet federal standards and believes they have a realistic chance of securing an ICE contract for providing immigration detention services at Delaney Hall if not for the state ban. The outcome of the lawsuit will determine whether GEO can move forward with their plans for the facility in Newark.