Howard County Blocks ICE Detention Center Plans

County Council passes emergency bills to prohibit ICE detention facilities and limit ICE access to county properties.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Howard County Council voted unanimously to pass two emergency bills that would block the use of privately owned buildings as ICE detention centers and limit ICE's access to county facilities and properties. This comes after the county discovered plans to convert an office building in Elkridge into an ICE detention facility. The bills were introduced in response to growing community concerns over the lack of transparency and public input around the proposed detention center.

Why it matters

The bills are part of a broader effort by Howard County to limit ICE's presence and impact in the region. In 2020, the county passed the Liberty Act, which restricts the use of county resources for immigration enforcement. The new emergency legislation aims to build on these existing policies and prevent the establishment of private ICE detention centers within the county.

The details

One of the emergency bills, introduced by County Executive Calvin Ball, revokes the building permit for the Elkridge office building that was being renovated for use as an ICE detention facility. The second bill, proposed by Councilwoman Liz Walsh, establishes guidance for county departments on limiting ICE's access to county facilities and properties. The bills were passed with strong community support, though one council member expressed concerns about the need for further discussion.

  • On February 6, 2026, the Howard County Council voted to pass the two emergency bills.
  • In 2020, the Howard County Council passed the Liberty Act, which restricts the use of county resources for immigration enforcement.

The players

Howard County Council

The legislative body of Howard County, Maryland that voted to pass the emergency bills blocking ICE detention centers.

Calvin Ball

The Howard County Executive who introduced one of the emergency bills to revoke the building permit for the proposed ICE detention facility in Elkridge.

Liz Walsh

A Howard County Councilwoman who proposed the second emergency bill establishing guidance for limiting ICE's access to county facilities and properties.

David Yungmann

A Howard County Councilman who voted against the second emergency bill, expressing concerns about the need for further discussion.

Deb Jung

A Howard County Councilwoman who shared concerns expressed by county employees about the second emergency bill.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The retrofitting private office buildings for detention use without transparency, without public input, without clear oversight is deeply troubling.”

— Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive (Patch.com)

What’s next

Ball will be signing the emergency bills into law on Friday morning, February 7, 2026. The county is also working with the state government on similar legislation at the state level to block ICE facilities through third parties.

The takeaway

Howard County's actions demonstrate a growing trend among local governments to resist the establishment of private ICE detention centers and limit the presence of federal immigration enforcement agencies within their communities. This reflects broader concerns about the lack of transparency and public input around such facilities, as well as the broader impact on local residents and resources.