Maryland AG Seeks to Halt Work on Immigration Detention Center

Attorney General Anthony Brown files lawsuit to stop construction of 1,500-person facility in Western Maryland

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has asked a federal court to pause the construction of an immigration detention center in Western Maryland while his lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security plays out in court. Brown argues that the federal agency is 'barreling past their legal obligations' by retrofitting an 825,000-square-foot commercial space without conducting a required environmental review.

Why it matters

The proposed detention center has drawn significant controversy, with advocates arguing it would further expand the immigration detention system and raise concerns about human rights abuses. Brown's lawsuit seeks to force the federal government to comply with environmental regulations before moving forward with the project.

The details

DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently awarded a $113 million contract to a Gettysburg, Pennsylvania-based company to convert the warehouse into a 1,500-person detention facility. Brown says that once construction begins, 'the damage cannot be undone' and is asking the court to halt work until the separate legal challenge is resolved.

  • On March 10, 2026, Attorney General Anthony Brown filed the request to pause construction.
  • A few weeks prior, Brown filed a separate federal lawsuit challenging the agency's purchase of the warehouse.

The players

Anthony Brown

The Democratic Attorney General of Maryland who is seeking to halt construction of the immigration detention center.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that purchased the warehouse and awarded a $113 million contract to convert it into an immigration detention facility.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The federal agency working with DHS on the detention center project.

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What they’re saying

“Once the construction begins the damage cannot be undone.”

— Anthony Brown, Attorney General of Maryland (thebanner.com)

What’s next

The federal court will decide whether to grant Attorney General Brown's request to halt construction on the immigration detention center while his separate lawsuit challenging the project proceeds.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal and political battles over the expansion of the immigration detention system, with state officials seeking to force the federal government to comply with environmental regulations before moving forward with controversial projects.