Planned ICE Facility Sparks Backlash in Washington County

Advocacy groups raise concerns over DHS plans to upgrade warehouse for immigration processing

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Local advocacy groups in Washington County, Maryland are voicing strong opposition to the Department of Homeland Security's plans to convert a warehouse into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility capable of housing 1,500 people. The groups have organized protests, public hearings, and a petition against the project, citing a lack of transparency and community consent.

Why it matters

The planned ICE facility has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the role of federal agencies in local communities. The backlash highlights tensions between the federal government's authority and local residents' desire for input on major developments in their area.

The details

DHS plans to upgrade the 825,620-square-foot warehouse located at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport by adding fencing, lighting, recreation areas, cameras, and potentially even tentage and guard shacks. The facility would serve as a new ICE Baltimore processing center. Local advocacy groups like Hagerstown Rapid Response and Washington County Indivisible have organized protests, public hearings, and a petition opposing the project, citing a lack of transparency and community consent.

  • In late January, Washington County issued a news release about DHS's plans for the facility.
  • In February, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a federal complaint against DHS over the over $100 million facility.

The players

Hagerstown Rapid Response

A local advocacy group organizing opposition to the planned ICE facility.

Washington County Indivisible

Another advocacy group voicing concerns about the project and the lack of community input.

Anthony Brown

The Maryland Attorney General who filed a federal complaint against DHS over the planned facility.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency planning to convert the warehouse into an ICE processing center.

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What they’re saying

“When federal enforcement vehicles begin lining the warehouse lot, it sends a clear message about what's taking shape in our community. We refuse to let ICE quietly plant roots in Washington County without transparency, accountability and community consent.”

— Claire Connor, Organizer, Hagerstown Rapid Response

“You can't tell a community this is just a warehouse when federal vehicles are rolling in and staging on site. Washington County deserves honest and we deserve the right to decide what kind of future we're building here.”

— Kate Rader, Advocacy group, Washington County Indivisible

What’s next

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown's federal complaint against DHS over the planned facility is ongoing.

The takeaway

The backlash over the planned ICE facility in Washington County highlights the tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and local communities' desire for transparency and input on major developments in their area. The protests and legal action demonstrate the strength of grassroots opposition to the project.