Maryland Officials Raise Concerns Over Proposed ICE Facility in Hagerstown

Gov. Wes Moore and Rep. April McClain Delaney voice opposition to federal plan for new detention center

Mar. 23, 2026 at 11:59pm

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Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney expressed strong concerns over the federal government's plan to open a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Hagerstown, Maryland. The officials, along with the Hagerstown mayor and immigrant rights groups, held a roundtable to discuss the proposal, which they say lacks transparency and public input.

Why it matters

The proposed ICE facility has drawn significant backlash from state and local leaders who argue it would further terrorize immigrant communities and disregard civil rights. The facility's environmental impact is also a major concern, prompting legal action to temporarily block its construction.

The details

The Department of Homeland Security awarded a contract worth over $100 million to build the warehouse-style ICE detention center, which could house up to 1,500 people facing deportation. However, state and local officials say the plan was advanced without proper environmental review or public input. Immigrant rights groups warn the facility would overwhelm their ability to provide legal aid to those detained.

  • The roundtable discussion took place on Monday, March 23, 2026.
  • A judge issued a temporary restraining order against the facility after the state attorney general filed to stop it over environmental concerns.

The players

Wes Moore

The governor of Maryland who expressed strong opposition to the proposed ICE facility, citing transparency issues and concerns that the site would be better suited for manufacturing.

April McClain Delaney

A U.S. Representative from Maryland who said ICE is "terrorizing communities" and that the state will not stand for the agency's "lack of transparency and complete disregard for human life and civil rights."

Michael Lukens

The executive director of AMICA, an immigrant rights group, who warned the facility would make it "near impossible" for his organization to provide legal aid to those detained.

Bill McIntire

The mayor of Hagerstown who said he was concerned about the lack of environmental review, public input, and coordination with local officials in the facility's acquisition process.

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What they’re saying

“We are already drinking from a firehose. There's not enough of us to help everybody who gets arrested to get a fair day in court. This warehouse is going to make it near impossible.”

— Michael Lukens, Executive Director, AMICA

“The manner of which this acquisition has moved forward without environmental review, without public input, and without prior coordination with municipal officials is a concern.”

— Bill McIntire, Mayor of Hagerstown

“Its lack of transparency and ability, and the complete disregard for human life and for civil rights.”

— April McClain Delaney, U.S. Representative

What’s next

A judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the facility, and the state attorney general has filed to stop its construction over environmental concerns. The future of the proposed ICE detention center remains uncertain as state and local leaders continue to voice opposition.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and state/local leaders who are pushing back against policies they view as harmful to immigrant communities and lacking in transparency or public input. The proposed Hagerstown facility has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the role of ICE and the treatment of undocumented immigrants in the United States.