Maryland Sues ICE Over Conditions at Baltimore Detention Facility

State demands records on overcrowding, lack of medical care, and extended detentions at immigration holding cells.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Maryland Attorney General's office has filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security, seeking records on the conditions at the immigration detention facility in Baltimore. The lawsuit alleges that the facility has held over 120 individuals in a single day, well over its 56-person capacity, and that detainees have been denied basic necessities like medical care, food, and access to legal counsel.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights growing concerns about the treatment of immigrants in detention facilities, particularly regarding overcrowding, lack of medical resources, and extended detentions beyond legal limits. It also raises questions about transparency and accountability for federal immigration enforcement actions.

The details

According to the lawsuit, a joint state and federal investigation found that the Baltimore ICE holding cells have 'dangerous, inhumane and unlawful' conditions, including extended detentions, denial of medical care, lack of food and water, unsanitary conditions, and restricted access to legal counsel. The attorney general's office issued a subpoena in January 2026 demanding records on the facility, but ICE denied the request in full.

  • The attorney general's office has been monitoring conditions in the holding cells since last summer through January 2026.
  • On January 30, 2026, the attorney general issued an administrative subpoena to DHS and ICE demanding records about the facility.
  • On February 25, 2026, ICE denied the subpoena in full.
  • On March 6, 2026, a federal court reviewing a class-action lawsuit found that individuals detained in the Baltimore hold rooms are 'routinely held there overnight and in excess of 12 hours,' often for more than 72 hours.

The players

Anthony Brown

Maryland Attorney General who announced the lawsuit against ICE and DHS.

Wes Moore

Governor of Maryland who stated the state will pursue justice to protect civil rights and public safety.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that operates the immigration detention facility in Baltimore and has been accused of denying access to records and failing to provide adequate conditions for detainees.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees ICE and has also been named in the lawsuit for failing to provide transparency about the Baltimore facility.

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What they’re saying

“The conditions inside the Baltimore holding cells have been dangerous, inhumane and unlawful — and ICE and DHS have done everything in their power to keep us from finding out just how bad they are.”

— Anthony Brown, Maryland Attorney General

“We cannot stand by as ICE and the federal government continue to lack transparency and dodge accountability for their cruel and unlawful immigration enforcement actions.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland

What’s next

The lawsuit filed on March 10, 2026 will proceed through the federal court system, with a judge expected to rule on whether ICE and DHS must comply with the state's subpoena for records on the Baltimore facility.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over the treatment of immigrants in detention, and the need for greater transparency and accountability around the conditions in these facilities. It also underscores the role of state governments in challenging perceived civil rights violations by federal immigration enforcement agencies.