Washington County Leaders Join Maryland Bid to Block Proposed ICE Facility

Activists and local officials oppose plans for a large ICE detention center near Hagerstown.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:50pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a large, nondescript government building or detention facility, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the facade and surrounding landscape, conveying a sense of quiet unease about the facility's impact on the local community.The proposed ICE detention center near Hagerstown has sparked concerns from local leaders about the lack of transparency and potential strain on community resources.Hagerstown Today

Activists and local political leaders in Washington County, Maryland are supporting the state's legal effort to halt plans for a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility near Hagerstown. The lawsuit argues that no information about the proposed 1,500-bed facility has been provided to local officials, and it will have a significant impact on local utilities.

Why it matters

The proposed ICE facility has faced strong opposition from Maryland's new governor, Wes Moore, as well as local community groups who are concerned about the lack of transparency and the potential strain on local resources. The case highlights ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement policies and the role of local communities in such decisions.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by the state of Maryland, names former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as the defendant, even though she is no longer in that role. In a court briefing, local leaders in Washington County, along with the ACLU of Maryland, are urging a judge to rule in favor of the state's attempt to stop the development of the massive warehouse into an ICE detention center.

  • The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in March 2026.

The players

Wes Moore

The current governor of Maryland who has raised concerns about the proposed ICE facility.

Kristi Noem

The former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, named as the defendant in the lawsuit.

ACLU of Maryland

A civil liberties organization that is supporting the state's legal effort to block the ICE facility.

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What’s next

The U.S. District Court will rule on the state of Maryland's attempt to halt the development of the proposed ICE detention facility near Hagerstown.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement policies and the concerns of local communities, as well as the importance of transparency and community input in decisions that can significantly impact local resources and infrastructure.