Baltimore City Council Moves to Ban Private Detention Centers

Proposal aims to prohibit private detention centers through zoning regulations

Mar. 10, 2026 at 4:48am

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Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen has introduced a bill to ban private detention centers within the city. The proposal seeks to enforce the ban through zoning regulations, preventing private contractors from operating such facilities. The move comes after recent visits by Maryland Congressional delegates to an ICE office and holding facility in Baltimore.

Why it matters

The proposed ban on private detention centers is part of a broader effort by Baltimore officials to limit the role of federal immigration enforcement in the city. This reflects growing concerns over the treatment of immigrants and the use of private, for-profit detention facilities.

The details

Cohen's bill would introduce a new zoning category to prohibit private detention centers in Baltimore. The proposal does not impact federal buildings, but would ban private contractors from operating such facilities within city limits. The City Council is also considering a separate "Safe Spaces and Communities" bill related to immigration enforcement.

  • The bill was introduced by Cohen on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • Five members of Maryland's Congressional delegation visited the ICE office and holding facility in Baltimore on the same day the bill was introduced.

The players

Zeke Cohen

Baltimore City Council President who introduced the bill to ban private detention centers.

Odette Ramos

Baltimore City Councilwoman who is supporting the "Safe Spaces and Communities" bill related to immigration enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“People who commit acts of violence, commit acts of crime should go through the normal judicial process. It is not just to have private detention centers in the city of Baltimore, and we've seen the Department of Homeland Security's overreliance on private detention centers.”

— Zeke Cohen, Baltimore City Council President

“This is very deeply personal for me — for members of my community to be separated from their families, ripped from the arms of their loved ones.”

— Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Councilwoman

What’s next

The Baltimore City Council will continue to consider the proposed ban on private detention centers as well as the "Safe Spaces and Communities" bill related to immigration enforcement.

The takeaway

Baltimore's efforts to limit the role of private detention centers and federal immigration enforcement reflect growing concerns over the treatment of immigrants and the use of for-profit detention facilities. These proposals aim to ensure that individuals accused of crimes are processed through the normal judicial system rather than held in private detention centers.