Federal Judge Halts Work on Planned ICE Facility in Maryland

Temporary 14-day halt issued as court reviews lawsuit over lack of environmental review

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:53pm

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A federal judge has temporarily halted the construction of a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in western Maryland. The judge issued a 14-day halt on the conversion of a warehouse in Williamsport into an ICE detention facility, in response to a lawsuit filed by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown claiming the project lacks a proper environmental review.

Why it matters

The temporary halt is seen as a critical victory for opponents of the planned ICE detention center, who argue that the facility would have significant environmental and community impacts that have not been properly assessed. The case highlights ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement policies and the siting of detention centers.

The details

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit seeking to block the construction of the new ICE detention center, arguing that the project requires a full environmental review under federal law. The judge granted a 14-day halt on the construction work to allow the court to review Brown's lawsuit before any further progress is made on the facility.

  • The judge issued the 14-day halt on March 12, 2026.
  • The court will review the lawsuit during this 14-day period.

The players

Anthony Brown

The Attorney General of Maryland who filed the lawsuit to block the construction of the ICE detention center.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency planning to convert a warehouse in Williamsport, Maryland into a new detention center.

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What they’re saying

“This is a critical but temporary victory. We will continue to fight this project to protect our environment and our communities.”

— Anthony Brown, Attorney General of Maryland

What’s next

The court will review Attorney General Brown's lawsuit during the 14-day halt to determine whether to allow the construction of the ICE detention center to proceed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement policies and the siting of detention centers, with local officials challenging the environmental impacts of such facilities. The temporary halt represents a victory for opponents, but the ultimate outcome will depend on the court's review of the lawsuit.