The New Jersey government is suing the private operator of an embattled migrant detention facility that has faced protests in recent weeks and attracted attention from top lawmakers.

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, on behalf of the state Department of Health, filed the suit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, for Essex County. The defendant, GEO group, operates the Delaney Hall facility.

The suit demands that the Court order the GEO group to allow the state Health Department access to the facility for inspection, alleging that the facility has faced declining health conditions that warrant its access.

The suit alleges that GEO limited state authorities' access to the facility and prevented a thorough inspection.

Delaney Hall has been the site of considerable anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in recent weeks and has seen lawmakers, such as Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., arrive to review the situation.

Kim went viral for an exchange in which he inserted himself between protesters and authorities and appeared to be exposed to pepper spray in the process.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin has denied reports of a hunger strike among detainees and called the actions of Democratic lawmakers a "political stunt."

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.