Baltimore County Council Bans New ICE Detention Centers

The unanimous vote changes zoning regulations to prohibit the county from granting permits for any new detention facilities.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In an emergency session, the Baltimore County Council unanimously voted 6-0 to ban the establishment of any new immigration detention centers in the county. The legislation, introduced by Council member Julian Jones, allows the county to suspend or revoke any permit tied to a detention center that was either applied for or issued since January 1, 2026.

Why it matters

The move comes after the U.S. General Services Administration leased an office in Hunt Valley, prompting speculation that the site could be used as a potential location for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. The county wanted to take proactive steps to prevent the establishment of any new detention centers.

The details

The new zoning regulations prohibit the county from granting permits for any detention center, jail, or other structure used for "involuntary confinement." However, the legislation includes exemptions for any county- or state-owned facilities already in operation. A representative for the Hunt Valley property informed Council member David Marks that the structure was meant for staffers handling immigration, customs, and FOIA requests, not a detention center.

  • The Baltimore County Council held an emergency session on February 18, 2026 to vote on the legislation.
  • The new zoning regulations prohibit permits for detention centers applied for or issued since January 1, 2026.

The players

Baltimore County Council

The legislative body of Baltimore County, Maryland that unanimously voted to ban new immigration detention centers in the county.

Julian Jones

A Baltimore County Council member who introduced the legislation to prohibit new detention centers.

Kathy Klausmeier

The Baltimore County Executive who stated that the county can control entities leasing property, but has less control if ICE were to own the property directly.

David Marks

A Baltimore County Council member who said a representative for the Hunt Valley property informed him the structure was meant for staffers handling immigration, customs, and FOIA requests, not a detention center.

U.S. General Services Administration

The federal agency that leased an office in Hunt Valley, Maryland, prompting speculation it could be used as an ICE detention center site.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If ICE were to "own the property, they can do whatever they want to do. But, if they have to lease the property or someone else is involved, those are the people we can control.”

— Kathy Klausmeier, Baltimore County Executive (WBAL)

“I did not "want to wait for them to string up barb wire for me to figure out what's going on.”

— Julian Jones, Baltimore County Council member (WMAR)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow any existing detention center permits to remain in effect despite the new zoning regulations.

The takeaway

This legislation demonstrates Baltimore County's proactive stance against the establishment of new immigration detention centers, reflecting growing concerns over the expansion of such facilities and the desire to maintain local control over land use decisions.