Community Pushback Against ICE Detention Plans in Maryland

Thu Apr 09 2026 12:48:36 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Residents protest as the Department of Homeland Security seeks to convert a local warehouse into an ICE processing center, igniting controversy and division within the community.

In Hagerstown, Md., protests erupted as residents voiced their opposition to plans by the Department of Homeland Security to convert a massive warehouse into an ICE detention facility. This follows the federal government's $1.074 billion investment in similar projects across the country. While local officials expressed their support for ICE, many community members felt blindsided by the purchase and have staged protests against what they see as a violation of their voice in the matter. With the project now facing legal hurdles, the future of the facility remains uncertain.

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Horns blared and protesters screamed “Stop ICE!” outside a meeting on the western edge of Maryland where county officials discussed various issues, including the solid waste budget.

This uproar follows the recent purchase of a large warehouse by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington County, part of a broader initiative to convert warehouses into detention facilities for undocumented immigrants. Critics argue that the 825,000-square-foot building is more suited for packages than for people, expressing moral objections to the facility's intended use.

Local community members voiced their dissent as the county commissioners declared their “unwavering support” for DHS and ICE, a proclamation that was met with significant jeering and booing during a recent meeting.

The federal investment of over $1 billion for similar warehouse conversions has met with resistance in various communities, sparking lawsuits and public outcry across the nation. Residents of Washington County, a charming place known for its Civil War history, feel marginalized in the decision-making process regarding the detention facility, prompting them to campaign for a voice in their community's future.

With the project currently stalled amidst legal challenges, community members are watching closely, divided about the warehouse's potential transformation into an ICE center and its implications for the local area.