Protesters Draw Chalk Outlines on Hagerstown Sidewalk to Oppose Planned ICE Detention Center

Demonstrators voice concerns ahead of court hearing on controversial facility.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:57pm

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A heavily fragmented, abstract painting of chalk outlines on a sidewalk, rendered in overlapping geometric shapes and waves of dark blue, grey, and red, conceptually representing a protest against a planned immigration detention facility.Protesters take civil disobedience action by drawing chalk outlines on a Hagerstown sidewalk to symbolize their opposition to a planned ICE detention center in the community.Hagerstown Today

Protesters in Hagerstown, Maryland have drawn chalk outlines on the sidewalk to represent immigrants who have died in federal immigration custody, in an act of civil disobedience against a planned 1,500-bed ICE detention center in the area. The protesters gather outside every Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting to voice their opposition to the project, which has the support of local officials but is currently halted due to ongoing litigation.

Why it matters

The planned ICE detention center has sparked significant controversy and protests in the Hagerstown community, with opponents arguing it will harm vulnerable immigrant populations. The chalk outline demonstration is a symbolic act to raise awareness and pressure local officials to reconsider the project.

The details

In January, the federal government purchased a warehouse in Williamsport, Maryland for $102.4 million, with plans to convert it into a large ICE detention facility. However, recent court filings indicate that ICE may be amending its proposal due to environmental constraints. On Tuesday, protesters drew chalk outlines on the Hagerstown sidewalk to represent immigrants who have died in federal immigration custody, as an act of civil disobedience against the planned detention center.

  • In January 2026, the federal government purchased a warehouse in Williamsport, Maryland for $102.4 million to convert into an ICE detention facility.
  • In February 2026, the Washington County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution in favor of the detention center project.
  • Protesters have been gathering outside every Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting to voice their opposition.

The players

Patrick Dattilio

Founder of Hagerstown Rapid Response, a group organizing protests against the planned ICE detention center.

Washington County Board of Commissioners

The local government body that has voiced support for the planned ICE detention facility.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency planning to convert a warehouse in Williamsport, Maryland into a 1,500-bed detention center.

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What they’re saying

“We want the county commissioners to see — and have to step over — what they're bringing and rolling out the red carpet for here in Hagerstown.”

— Patrick Dattilio, Founder, Hagerstown Rapid Response

What’s next

A court hearing on the ongoing litigation surrounding the planned ICE detention center is scheduled for Wednesday.

The takeaway

The chalk outline protest in Hagerstown highlights the deep divisions within the community over the planned ICE detention facility, with opponents arguing it will harm vulnerable immigrant populations and local officials supporting the project. The outcome of the upcoming court hearing will be crucial in determining the facility's future.