New Jersey Opens Civil Rights Investigation Into Delaney Hall

The New Jersey attorney general has opened a civil rights investigation into a 1,000-bed migrant detention center in Newark, ramping up the state’s fight against the Trump administration.

The attorney general, Jennifer Davenport, said on Friday that her office had issued subpoenas and would investigate whether employees at the center violated the civil rights of detainees.

The announcement was made days after a detainee died and his family denounced the center, known as Delaney Hall, for failing to tend to his medical needs.

The detainee, Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, was 41 and from El Salvador. His family has expressed concern that he might not have been getting the medication he needed to treat his diabetes and epilepsy.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Geo Group, the private company that operates the detention center, referred questions to ICE.

“ICE and the Geo Group have continued to block our efforts for a full health inspection and there are now reports that visitations have been stopped,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey said after the announcement by the attorney general. “I have long opposed private detention facilities, and my position is clear that Delaney Hall should be closed.”

The federal detention center has been a persistent target of criticism from protesters and Democratic lawmakers since it reopened last year as part of Mr. Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Detainees have long complained of inhumane living conditions there, and demonstrators have responded by gathering at the center’s front gates, where clashes with federal agents have at times turned violent.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Tracey Tully contributed reporting.