Developer Sues County Over Blocked ICE Detention Site

Genesis GSA Strategic One LLC claims Howard County, Maryland violated the Constitution by revoking permit for temporary ICE facility.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A real estate developer has filed a lawsuit against Howard County, Maryland, after the county revoked a permit that would have allowed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to build a temporary detainee facility. The developer, Genesis GSA Strategic One LLC, claims the county violated the U.S. Constitution and federal civil rights law by backing out of the project after falsely claiming it only learned then that ICE would occupy the building.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and legal battles over immigration enforcement and detention policies, with local governments increasingly seeking to limit or block ICE operations in their communities. The lawsuit also raises questions about the rights of private developers to work with federal agencies on projects that may face community opposition.

The details

According to the lawsuit, the Howard County Council passed a bill that 'purports' to prohibit non-government-owned facilities such as the proposed ICE detention center in Elkridge, Maryland. Genesis GSA Strategic One LLC claims the county's actions violated the developer's constitutional rights and a federal civil rights law.

  • On February 2, 2026, Howard County revoked the permit that would have allowed ICE to build a temporary detainee facility.

The players

Genesis GSA Strategic One LLC

A real estate developer that had been granted a permit to allow ICE to build a temporary detainee facility in Elkridge, Maryland.

Howard County Council

The local government in Howard County, Maryland that revoked the permit for the proposed ICE detention center.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that had planned to operate a temporary detainee facility in Elkridge, Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Genesis GSA Strategic One LLC against Howard County is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local governments seeking to limit ICE operations and private developers who may partner with federal agencies on projects that face community opposition. The outcome of this lawsuit could set an important precedent for how such disputes are resolved.