The U.S. Attorney General announced on Friday that the Justice Department is suing the state of Georgia over recent changes in election laws that allegedly aimed to deny black voters their right to vote.

Garland's announcement, made in the presence of the chief of DOJ's Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke, is the first offensive effort by the Biden administration in opposing Republican-led efforts to introduce voter restrictions around the country.

"Our complaint alleges that recent changes to Georgia's election laws were enacted with the purpose of denying or abridging the right of black Georgians to vote on account of their race or color," he said.

The move comes a week after Garland signaled that the department's Civil Rights Division would be taking a more aggressive stance against efforts to curb voting rights and voter access.

"We are scrutinizing new laws that seek to curb voter access, and where we see violations, we will not hesitate to act," Garland said. "We are also scrutinizing current laws and practices in order to determine whether they discriminate against Black voters and other voters of color."

Among the limits, the law imposes stricter identification requirements for absentee balloting, limits drop boxes for mail ballots, gives lawmakers the power to take over local elections and makes it a misdemeanor for people to offer food and water to voters waiting in line. Long lines to vote are common in Black neighborhoods in Georgia's cities, particularly Atlanta, where much of the state's Democratic electorate lives.

Seven other lawsuits have been filed against Georgia's election law, including one by a coalition of civil rights groups.

(With input from agencies)