Community Protests Erupt Over ICE Facility Plans in Western Maryland
Hagerstown, Maryland — Horns blared and protesters shouted phrases such as “Stop ICE!” outside a recent county commission meeting where local officials discussed routine matters, including the solid waste budget. The tension stems from the Department of Homeland Security’s recent acquisition of an 825,000-square-foot building in Washington County, intended to convert it into a detention facility for immigrants.
Controversy Surrounds Warehouse Conversion Plans
Patrick Dattilio, founder of the Hagerstown Rapid Response, an anti-ICE group, voiced strong objections outside the commission meeting, stating, “This is a facility built for cargo, not for people.” The federal government is facing significant pushback from the local community regarding its $1.074 billion investment in 11 warehouses to establish facilities for detaining tens of thousands of immigrants—a plan that has sparked outrage among residents.
DHS Plans for Washington County Face Legal Challenges
Despite Washington County’s reputation as a welcoming community, local officials expressed their support for ICE amid palpable community anger. The proposed processing center would have been one of the first to open under a project initiated by former Secretary Kristi Noem. However, plans for the facility are currently stalled in legal disputes similar to other warehouse conversion ventures across the country. Questions loom over whether Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin will proceed with the project or devise an alternative strategy in line with the broader immigration policies of the Trump administration.
Commissioners Reaffirm Support for DHS and ICE
The sprawling blue-and-white warehouse has ignited fierce debates, particularly as county commissioners have openly endorsed ICE. Although they assert their hands are tied due to the federal government’s property acquisition, they did formally declare their “unwavering support” for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security at a February 10 meeting. This declaration, however, failed to quell the uproar, as attendees reacted with boos and jeers, prompting the committee chairman to clear the room.
Local Concerns about Transparency and Communication
Amidst the controversy, residents express frustration not only due to moral objections to the facility but also because of a perceived lack of transparency surrounding the purchase. Carol Sager, a local resident, noted, “We had no say in this,” as she stood silently holding a sign that read “Disenfranchisement in Washington County.” Behind her, law enforcement had cordoned off portions of the courthouse to manage the growing protest.
Broader Implications of Detention Facility Plans
Backlash against ICE facility plans extends beyond Maryland. Communities in New Jersey and Michigan have raised alarms over poor communication from DHS, with lawsuits filed questioning the rationale behind choosing warehouses over vacant state prisons. In Salt Lake City and Pennsylvania, officials have threatened to restrict water access, and Georgia’s City of Social Circle has installed locks on water meters in properties acquired by DHS.
Federal Scrutiny and Future of the Facility in Question
The scrutiny isn’t limited to the community; federal oversight has intensified as DHS evaluates its properties. Notably, a public hearing is set for April 15 to discuss potential renovations, following a $113 million contract awarded to renovate the building for 500 to 1,500 detainees—a project currently halted by a legal challenge from the Maryland attorney general.
As public sentiment continues to mount against the planned ICE facility, local activists and residents are raising their voices, determined to make their concerns known as these developments unfold.
Hollingsworth reported from Kansas City, Missouri.
