HAGERSTOWN WAREHOUSE INTO I.C.E. FACILITY
What's next? See you at the BOCC meeting on April 14.
County Administrator Gordon's statement about the 3/16 Zoom meeting with DHS - video clip and transcript
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Stop the ICE Detention Center in Washington County |
To our friends across Maryland and the U.S. - email the Washington County Commissioners at [email protected]
updated 4/13/26
THE ISSUE:
The government plans to convert warehouses into ICE facilities. A Hagerstown area site is one of sixteen "smaller" centers planned for processing between 500 - 1500 detainees.
NEW 4/13 - Project Salt Box reports "Maryland Orders Washington County to Freeze Sewer Expansion for Planned ICE Detention Center"
3/27 - News Talk 103.7 reports "No matter what might be on social media, the city of Hagerstown has NOT been contacted about the processing center"
3/20 - Hagerstown Rapid Response reports "Doctors Are Sounding the Alarm on ICE Facility Near Hagerstown — and They’re Not Waiting to Be Heard"
3/19 - Project Salt Box reports "Breaking: Judge Extends Block on Maryland ICE Detention Facility, Setting Stage for April Showdown"
3/18 - Petition update from Hagerstown Rapid Response "
Washington County Govt Invited President Trump, VP JD Vance to Visit Hagerstown ICE Detention Center"
3/18 - Project Salt Box reports "$381 Million. That's What a Maryland County Wanted for Supporting an ICE Warehouse."
3/18 - Herald Mail reports "DOJ files status report to federal judge about Maryland ICE facility" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
3/18 - Herald Mail reports "Washington County relays info from DHS about ICE facility" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
3/17 - Project Salt Box reports "As A Maryland County Debates Who Pays for a Warehouse It Never Approved, a Community Leader Is Removed From the Podium"
3/14 - Project Salt Box reports "ICYMI: A Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks an ICE Detention Warehouse in Maryland" (a must-see 30-minute interview with Michael Wriston of Project Salt Box)
3/14 - Project Salt Box reports "After a DHS Warehouse Deal, a Fundrise Investor Asked Why"
3/13 - Radio Free Hub City reports "Delay, Deny, Defend – Washington County Constructively Denies Records on ICE Warehouse Sale"
3/12 - Project Salt Box reports "At a Warehouse With No Water Plan, Six Toilet Trailers Just Appeared"
3/12 - Project Salt Box reports "Federal Judge Halts Construction of Maryland ICE Detention Facility"
3/11 - Project Salt Box reports "How a Maryland Farm Became a Federal Detention Warehouse"
3/8 - Baltimore Banner reports "ICE awards $113 million to build out Hagerstown detention center" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
3/8 - Project Salt Box reports "A "Humanitarian Response" Firm With No Federal Contract History Is Staffing Planned Immigration Detention Center in Maryland"
3/6 - Project Salt Box reports "ICE's New Maryland Detention Center Would Need 209,000 Gallons of Water a Day. Nobody Knows Where It Will Come From."
3/1 - Bloomberg reports "Where the Trump Administration is Planning ICE Mega Jails" - includes info about the private companies vying for contracts to transform and operate these warehouses as jails.
2/28 - Project Salt Box reports "ICE Moves Minneapolis Fleet to Williamsport Detention Warehouse".
2/27 - Project Salt Box reports "Maryland House Passes Trio of Immigration Bills in Response to Federal Detention Push"
2/26 - Baltimore Sun reports "Maryland House passes bills to hamper immigration detention facilities" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
2/25 - Excellent Herald-Mail article, "What does Maryland lawsuit against Homeland Security, ICE ask for?" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
2/23 - Dan Rodricks Commentary "Supporting ICE and the immigrant purge: A statement of a Maryland county's values?"
2/23 - Project Salt Box reports "Maryland Sues to Stop ICE Detention Center, Escalating Fight Over Secretive Federal Purchase" (See MD Attorney General's press release)
2/21 - WYPR News reports "Residents in Maryland’s conservative Washington County push back against ICE facility"
2/18 - Video clip from the 2/17/26 Hagerstown City Council work session discussing supplying water to the ICE facility
2/6 - John Barr Speaks! (but not at a public meeting) see the video with commentary
1/29 - The January 14, 2026, letter to the Historic District Commission, Washington County Planning and Zoning Department from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
1/28 - Washington County Statement on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Notice Concerning Proposed ICE Facility
3/20 - Hagerstown Rapid Response reports "Doctors Are Sounding the Alarm on ICE Facility Near Hagerstown — and They’re Not Waiting to Be Heard"
3/19 - Project Salt Box reports "Breaking: Judge Extends Block on Maryland ICE Detention Facility, Setting Stage for April Showdown"
3/18 - Petition update from Hagerstown Rapid Response "
Washington County Govt Invited President Trump, VP JD Vance to Visit Hagerstown ICE Detention Center"
3/18 - Project Salt Box reports "$381 Million. That's What a Maryland County Wanted for Supporting an ICE Warehouse."
3/18 - Herald Mail reports "DOJ files status report to federal judge about Maryland ICE facility" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
3/18 - Herald Mail reports "Washington County relays info from DHS about ICE facility" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
3/17 - Project Salt Box reports "As A Maryland County Debates Who Pays for a Warehouse It Never Approved, a Community Leader Is Removed From the Podium"
3/14 - Project Salt Box reports "ICYMI: A Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks an ICE Detention Warehouse in Maryland" (a must-see 30-minute interview with Michael Wriston of Project Salt Box)
3/14 - Project Salt Box reports "After a DHS Warehouse Deal, a Fundrise Investor Asked Why"
3/13 - Radio Free Hub City reports "Delay, Deny, Defend – Washington County Constructively Denies Records on ICE Warehouse Sale"
3/12 - Project Salt Box reports "At a Warehouse With No Water Plan, Six Toilet Trailers Just Appeared"
3/12 - Project Salt Box reports "Federal Judge Halts Construction of Maryland ICE Detention Facility"
3/11 - Project Salt Box reports "How a Maryland Farm Became a Federal Detention Warehouse"
3/8 - Baltimore Banner reports "ICE awards $113 million to build out Hagerstown detention center" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
3/8 - Project Salt Box reports "A "Humanitarian Response" Firm With No Federal Contract History Is Staffing Planned Immigration Detention Center in Maryland"
3/6 - Project Salt Box reports "ICE's New Maryland Detention Center Would Need 209,000 Gallons of Water a Day. Nobody Knows Where It Will Come From."
3/1 - Bloomberg reports "Where the Trump Administration is Planning ICE Mega Jails" - includes info about the private companies vying for contracts to transform and operate these warehouses as jails.
2/28 - Project Salt Box reports "ICE Moves Minneapolis Fleet to Williamsport Detention Warehouse".
2/27 - Project Salt Box reports "Maryland House Passes Trio of Immigration Bills in Response to Federal Detention Push"
2/26 - Baltimore Sun reports "Maryland House passes bills to hamper immigration detention facilities" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
2/25 - Excellent Herald-Mail article, "What does Maryland lawsuit against Homeland Security, ICE ask for?" in the NEWS ARCHIVE
2/23 - Dan Rodricks Commentary "Supporting ICE and the immigrant purge: A statement of a Maryland county's values?"
2/23 - Project Salt Box reports "Maryland Sues to Stop ICE Detention Center, Escalating Fight Over Secretive Federal Purchase" (See MD Attorney General's press release)
2/21 - WYPR News reports "Residents in Maryland’s conservative Washington County push back against ICE facility"
2/18 - Video clip from the 2/17/26 Hagerstown City Council work session discussing supplying water to the ICE facility
2/6 - John Barr Speaks! (but not at a public meeting) see the video with commentary
1/29 - The January 14, 2026, letter to the Historic District Commission, Washington County Planning and Zoning Department from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
1/28 - Washington County Statement on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Notice Concerning Proposed ICE Facility
ABOUT THIS WEBPAGE
This page compiles factual information about the possible conversion of a warehouse in Hagerstown (or Washington County) into an ICE facility. Read the full text of the Washington Post article that originally reported the story and the January 1 Herald-Mail follow-up article HERE.
Find selected reports from Project Salt Box in SALT BOX NEWS. See all the work of Project Salt Box at Project Salt Box | Substack
Find news reports from newest to oldest in the NEWS ARCHIVE
Find WHAT WE KNOW about the warehouse. The leaked ICE document listing a Washington County warehouse, other information about the site, the document archive maintained by Radio Free Hub City, and a description of what we know so far
Find HAGERSTOWN CITY COUNCIL video clips of discussions related to the city supplying water to the I.C.E. facility
Find COMMUNITY REACTION
Find WHAT ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE SAYING and the latest statements from government bodies.
Find QUESTIONS presented to County Commissioners on 2/3/26, 2/10/26, and 2/17/26 and questions emailed to local elected officials on 12/29/25 and their responses.
OUR ANALYSIS SO FAR
Access to the water and sanitation systems needed to support 500 - 1500 full-time residents and building code and/or zoning restrictions may prevent most privately owned warehouses in Hagerstown and Washington County from conversion to an ICE facility. However, federally owned buildings are generally exempt from state and local building codes.
Water and sewer access may be the key to stopping or slowing the project. Washington County controls the sewer/wastewater requirements while the city of Hagerstown controls the amount of water allocated for the site. See the clip from the 2/3/26 Hagerstown City Council work session.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
On the morning of 2/17/26, a letter with 186 signatures was delivered in-person to the Washington County Administration Building and received by BOCC President Barr.
The letter urged the commissioners to answer the 20 questions submitted to them at their February 3 and 10 meetings about the impact of the I.C.E. facility on Washington County. The letter urged the commissioners to answer in a public format that allows citizens to ask additional questions. See the LETTER & QUESTIONS.
One week earlier, on 2/10/26, the BOCC voted to adopt a pro-ICE Resolution. The Resolution seemed to answer six questions. Fourteen remain unanswered.
Previously, 9 questions had been emailed to the Washington County Commissioners, the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council Members, and the members of the Washington County Delegation to Annapolis on 12/29/25. See who answered those questions, and the responses.
On the morning of 2/17/26, a letter with 186 signatures was delivered in-person to the Washington County Administration Building and received by BOCC President Barr.
The letter urged the commissioners to answer the 20 questions submitted to them at their February 3 and 10 meetings about the impact of the I.C.E. facility on Washington County. The letter urged the commissioners to answer in a public format that allows citizens to ask additional questions. See the LETTER & QUESTIONS.
One week earlier, on 2/10/26, the BOCC voted to adopt a pro-ICE Resolution. The Resolution seemed to answer six questions. Fourteen remain unanswered.
Previously, 9 questions had been emailed to the Washington County Commissioners, the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council Members, and the members of the Washington County Delegation to Annapolis on 12/29/25. See who answered those questions, and the responses.
We need transparency from the Washington County Commissioners. There are too many unanswered questions.
On 2/10/26 the BOCC voted to adopt the pro-ICE resolution
Video added 3/1/26
See original video by Brandon Thompson on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/reel/781091238383416 |
added 1/26/26 Sharing this video NOT created by WCI
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WHAT WE KNOW
Alleged ICE document listing Hagerstown site
16220 Wright Rd -
This building is on the property listed as 10900 Hopewell Rd
Image from Project Salt Box
Warehouse-related document archive maintained by Radio Free Hub City will be updated as additional documents are obtained: |
Screenshot of a Bowman Development Facebook post from 1/28/26
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What we know
- The site is not within city limits, so technically it is not a "Hagerstown" warehouse but a Washington County warehouse. National news services refer to it as the warehouse in Hagerstown although it is located near Williamsport.
- The Town of Williamsport has a 2026 population of 2,114. The warehouse I.C.E. camp is expected to hold up to 1500 individuals.
- County zoning for the site permits "Penal and correctional institutions, including jails" (Section 14.1)
- Modifications by a private entity would require a site plan update with the county
- Modifications by a private entity would have to meet building code requirements for a detention facility/human habitation
- Maryland's 2021 Dignity Not Detention Act prohibits state and local governments from contracting with ICE for detention and bars zoning approvals for private immigration detention facilities along with other restrictions. The Act may offer a legal block, but the keyword is "private". A Federally owned facility is not "private" and may not fall under the restrictions of the Act.
- The Supremacy Clause, found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under the authority of the United States constitute the "supreme Law of the Land." This means that these laws take priority over any conflicting state laws.
- "Federally owned buildings are generally exempt from state and local building codes, but federal agencies are required by law (40 U.S.C. 3312) to build to the "maximum extent feasible" using nationally recognized model codes and to consult with local officials to align with local plans and zoning for new construction or alterations. While they don't have to follow local mandates, federal agencies like the GSA aim for compatibility and often incorporate local standards, and leased federal buildings are subject to local requirements." source
- The property was owned by FRIND HOPEWELL LLC which we believe is a subsidiary of Fundrise (specifically via their East Coast eREIT) in partnership with Penzance, a Washington D.C.-based real estate investment firm.
- The property is now owned by the Department of Homeland Security
- ICE spokesperson said, "These will not be warehouses — they will be very well structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards."
- According to Homeland Security's letter, the potential site improvements include:
- Installing, upgrading, or rehabilitating existing parking areas, fencing, site lighting, landscaping, drainage/stormwater, recreation areas, and cameras
- Possibly installing tentage and a guard shack
- Painting or sealing the exterior of the structure
- Installing, removing, or modifying bays (truck bays, window bays, or doors)
- Repairing or replacing the existing roof or cladding materials
- Adding security equipment
- Adding exterior personnel/guest access controls
- Renovating or rebuilding the interior "to support ICE operational requirements, which may include but are not limited to construction of holding and processing spaces, office space, public-facing visitor spaces, and installation of amenities, such as cafeterias, bathrooms, and health care spaces."
- On Feb. 23, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed suit against DHS and ICE in federal court, arguing the federal government failed to conduct a required environmental assessment and asking a judge to void the purchase and block further development of the property.
- Washington County controls the sewer/wastewater access
- According to the AG lawsuit, converting the warehouse into a detention facility "could overwhelm the existing sewer lines serving the property."
- The estimated average daily wastewater flow for the warehouse is 24,768.6 gallons a day.
- a 1,500-bed facility could produce 90,000 gallons of wastewater a day.
- City of Hagerstown controls amount of water allocated for the site. The warehouse had purchased water allocation for 800 gallons a day.
- That amount would be "very low" if the Wright Road facility uses were to include laundry, food service and showers.
- That's not even a gallon per person a day when considering the possibility of 1,500 people. A conventional toilet uses 1.5 gallons of water.
- City Administrator Scott Nicewarner said the city hasn't received a request for additional water service capacity or infrastructure for the 16220 Wright Road property.
- The warehouse has a 2-inch domestic service line that can produce 200 gallons per minute for continuous flow. The property owner would likely need to upgrade the water service if the building is used for housing because that meter would not be sufficient for peak usage.
- The City Council would be required to approve water service under two conditions, neither of which apply regarding the Wright Road property.
- When a property is in the Urban Growth Area, which is outside the city's Medium-Range Growth Area (MRGA).
- When there is a transfer of water allocation from inside city limits, within the MRGA.
- The city water department cannot deny an extension of water service or a request to increase water allocation unless the water department has a valid, sufficient reason to deny that service.
- The warehouse is currently allocated the equivalent of roughly 800 to 900 gallons per day; the conservative estimate for the detention facility is 93,000 gallons a day.
- Wright Road, where the warehouse was built, is a two-lane road that county officials estimate will require $1.5 million in improvements to handle the additional traffic.
- Williamsport has no municipal fire, police or emergency medical services, relying instead on the county. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has roughly 110 field officers covering the entire county around the clock. The nearest fire and EMS company — a volunteer unit — has eight EMTs and paramedics.
- Meritus Medical Center, the county’s only hospital, has about 300 beds and operates at between 90 and 100 percent capacity, with emergency room wait times exceeding four hours.
- There are three state prisons in Washington County with the ICE facility becoming a fourth detention center. The community cannot handle the burden if there is a safety failure at one of these detention centers.
- Project Salt Box reports (2/28) I.C.E. is transporting approximately 100 vehicles from Minneapolis to the warehouse
- Project Salt Box estimates (3/6) that the facility would require 209,000 gallons of water per day
- The Maryland Department of the Environment projects the facility would generate more than 187,000 gallons a day of wastewater
- DHS is hiring for the Williamsport detention camp.
- U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson issued a temporary restraining order on 3/11/26, temporarily halting all construction and renovation at the Williamsport Warehouse for fourteen days while the case proceeds.
See this Herald-Mail article for details about the lawsuit and water/sewer.
See a video clip of the Feb. 17 Hagerstown City Council work session discussing the water situation
EXCELLENT SUMMARY FROM BLOOMBERG
Location: 16220 Wright Road, Williamsport, Maryland
Seller: Fundrise REIT
Sale Price: $102 million
Footprint: 825,620 square feet
Planned beds: 1,500
When a Washington, DC-area developer broke ground on this site in 2021, the project was touted as one that would bring jobs and economic growth to the western Maryland region as an e-commerce, logistics and distribution center. Instead, the facility will be used as a 1,500-bed immigration jail.
A real estate investment trust affiliated with Fundrise, an investment platform catering to retail clients, sold the facility to ICE in mid-January for $102 million — roughly $2 million less than it paid for it in 2022. Fundrise said its goal is “to use technology to make high-quality real estate investments available to everyone at a low cost.”
On Feb. 23, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit seeking to block construction of the facility, arguing that the federal government didn’t conduct a required environmental review and didn’t seek public input for the project. The suit came after the Washington County board of commissioners unanimously passed a resolution that expressed full support for the facility.
Location: 16220 Wright Road, Williamsport, Maryland
Seller: Fundrise REIT
Sale Price: $102 million
Footprint: 825,620 square feet
Planned beds: 1,500
When a Washington, DC-area developer broke ground on this site in 2021, the project was touted as one that would bring jobs and economic growth to the western Maryland region as an e-commerce, logistics and distribution center. Instead, the facility will be used as a 1,500-bed immigration jail.
A real estate investment trust affiliated with Fundrise, an investment platform catering to retail clients, sold the facility to ICE in mid-January for $102 million — roughly $2 million less than it paid for it in 2022. Fundrise said its goal is “to use technology to make high-quality real estate investments available to everyone at a low cost.”
On Feb. 23, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit seeking to block construction of the facility, arguing that the federal government didn’t conduct a required environmental review and didn’t seek public input for the project. The suit came after the Washington County board of commissioners unanimously passed a resolution that expressed full support for the facility.
HAGERSTOWN CITY COUNCIL
The Hagerstown City Council models how a governing body transparently handles an issue important to the community. Our county commissioners could learn from this example!
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The Hagerstown City Council discusses the city's role in supplying water to the ICE facility at their 2/17/26 work session. (41:08)
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A Council Member comments on the 2/3/26 County Commissioners meeting and the demonstration outside the admin building, then proposes action by the City Council. The 8-minute clip has been edited to include just the discussion related to the I.C.E. warehouse.
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COMMUNITY REACTION
added 2/12/26
Washington County Indivisible press release
added 2/8/26
Washington County Democratic Central Committee
Click to enlarge
added 2/7/26
NAACP Statements on the Proposed DHS/ICE Detention Facility in Hagerstown
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2/6/2026
The Washington County NAACP is making an official statement in reference to BOCC President John Barr’s recent comments regarding the proposed ICE facility. We find it abhorrent to equate a facility that threatens civil rights with a financial "opportunity" for the county. Our community's dignity is not for sale. We are calling on the Board of County Commissioners to:
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1/29/2026 Statement Read the statement below.
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Washington County 7030B
Facebook post 2/12/2026
"We have received a response from the County Administrator regarding our demands for the proposed ICE facility."
Facebook post 2/12/2026
"We have received a response from the County Administrator regarding our demands for the proposed ICE facility."
See text below
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We have received a response from the County Administrator regarding our demands for the proposed ICE facility.
Their message is clear: they are choosing silence over safety. The County claims they have "no jurisdiction" because the property is now federally owned, yet they found plenty of jurisdiction to pass a resolution of “full support” for DHS and ICE just two days ago.
The County’s excuses don’t hold water:
They claim no involvement: Yet, they are legally required to coordinate with federal agencies on land-use and utility planning under Maryland law.
They claim "no information": Yet, they are currently paying $51,500 for a water study (PUR-1771) that must account for this facility's impact on our karst geology.
They hide behind "legal opinions": While they worry about their own "potential liability," our community is left to worry about human rights and the loss of our historic heritage.
The County thinks they can wait us out. Let’s prove them wrong.
Our Unwavering Demands:
1. Infrastructure Integrity: Stop all support until the PUR-1771 Water Study is finished in October 2026.
2. Historic Preservation: Comply with the National Historic Preservation Act and conduct the Phase 1 archaeological study recommended by Towson University experts.
3. PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY: We formally demand a Town Hall Meeting. If this project is "beyond their jurisdiction," why are they passing resolutions to support it behind closed doors?
Contact the Board NOW:
Phone: 240-313-2202 (County Administrator Michelle Gordon)
Email: [email protected]
Their message is clear: they are choosing silence over safety. The County claims they have "no jurisdiction" because the property is now federally owned, yet they found plenty of jurisdiction to pass a resolution of “full support” for DHS and ICE just two days ago.
The County’s excuses don’t hold water:
They claim no involvement: Yet, they are legally required to coordinate with federal agencies on land-use and utility planning under Maryland law.
They claim "no information": Yet, they are currently paying $51,500 for a water study (PUR-1771) that must account for this facility's impact on our karst geology.
They hide behind "legal opinions": While they worry about their own "potential liability," our community is left to worry about human rights and the loss of our historic heritage.
The County thinks they can wait us out. Let’s prove them wrong.
Our Unwavering Demands:
1. Infrastructure Integrity: Stop all support until the PUR-1771 Water Study is finished in October 2026.
2. Historic Preservation: Comply with the National Historic Preservation Act and conduct the Phase 1 archaeological study recommended by Towson University experts.
3. PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY: We formally demand a Town Hall Meeting. If this project is "beyond their jurisdiction," why are they passing resolutions to support it behind closed doors?
Contact the Board NOW:
Phone: 240-313-2202 (County Administrator Michelle Gordon)
Email: [email protected]
Hagerstown Area Religious Council posts on Facebook
"HARC was grateful to have representation at a protest this morning at the County Commissioners meeting. We continue to pray for immigrants in our community and for our civic leaders as they make tough decisions. We pray they have courage to take a stand against the I.C.E. Detention center.
Thanks to Washington County Indivisible for planning the protest!"
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"HARC strongly opposes this new ICE jail for Washington County. We believe County Government and the community need to stand up in opposition. Stay tuned, or check out Washington County Indivisible for how you can help."
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What elected officials are saying
added 3/22/26
click image for 3-minute clip of Barr interview about the meeting with DHS
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Barr speaks againListen to this 3 minute clip from his 3/16/26 interview on 103.7 FM.
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added 3/13/26
Statement read by County Administrator Michelle Gordon, February 24, 2026
We understand that the community is concerned Washington County was not involved in the sites selection process regarding the new facility that will be opened and what you support. We were not consulted by the federal governments or the private entity involved in the sales transaction of an existing structure. This is now a property owned by the federal government as such Washington County Government has no jurisdiction. we are not the governing body that will be oversee seeing this project.
And many of the suggestions bringing being made by non-county residents as well as county residents include comparisons to facility in Howard County to recent actions taken by the government empowered county, those are not a fair comparison the example from how our county involved a building owned by a private company, which is not the case here in Washington County where the building is owned by the federal government.
Suggestions being made would require a legal opinion and interpretation of the potential liability of all parties involved for the county and personally for individuals taking potentially adverse actions against another organization. Additional a legal opinion and interpretation will be needed regarding the hierarchy and interactions between local state and federal government, authority and jurisdiction, all of which we are not able to comment on at this time.
A resolution was adopted by the board of county commissioners on February the tenth of two thousand twenty six and this resolution expresses general support for the department of homeland security, u s immigration and customs enforcement and local law enforcement agencies and their roles related to public safety and encourages cooperation across all levels of government. Washington county has not been provided with any project information from the federal government for their property on Wright Road and Washington County is not going to speculate on future use or development of the site.
Beyond the statement released on January the twenty eighth of twenty twenty six and the resolution approved on February the tenth of two thousand twenty six Washington County Government has no additional information. thank you.
And many of the suggestions bringing being made by non-county residents as well as county residents include comparisons to facility in Howard County to recent actions taken by the government empowered county, those are not a fair comparison the example from how our county involved a building owned by a private company, which is not the case here in Washington County where the building is owned by the federal government.
Suggestions being made would require a legal opinion and interpretation of the potential liability of all parties involved for the county and personally for individuals taking potentially adverse actions against another organization. Additional a legal opinion and interpretation will be needed regarding the hierarchy and interactions between local state and federal government, authority and jurisdiction, all of which we are not able to comment on at this time.
A resolution was adopted by the board of county commissioners on February the tenth of two thousand twenty six and this resolution expresses general support for the department of homeland security, u s immigration and customs enforcement and local law enforcement agencies and their roles related to public safety and encourages cooperation across all levels of government. Washington county has not been provided with any project information from the federal government for their property on Wright Road and Washington County is not going to speculate on future use or development of the site.
Beyond the statement released on January the twenty eighth of twenty twenty six and the resolution approved on February the tenth of two thousand twenty six Washington County Government has no additional information. thank you.
added 2/6/26
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John Barr Speaks!
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"...if they are coming and we can't stop it I think we we need to put our heads together and as they always say make lemonade out of lemons"
"...some people might think it's blackmail or or collusion but you know we are constantly in this area uh dependent upon federal dollars"
"...some people might think it's blackmail or or collusion but you know we are constantly in this area uh dependent upon federal dollars"
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Listen to this 2.05 minute clip from his 2/2/26 interview on 103.7 FM. |
To hear the entire 13-minute interview go HERE.
see a video of the clip with commentary
Transcript of the clip
Barr: I've had numerous phone calls numerous emails numerous and I'm saying when I say numerous I'm talking 50 to 100 of each letters phone calls um emails and um you know been cursed called names the last couple days it's very concerning and I think you know the rhetoric needs to calm down if they are coming and we can't stop it I think we we need to put our heads together and as they always say make lemonade out of lemons and you know there's other things we do charge for water and sewer um you know soak it to them um charge them for services just like any other federal facility.
Interviewer: um yeah there's got to be there's got to be some way that Washington county could benefit from this whether we like it or not
Barr: Exactly and and frankly you know it some people might think it's blackmail or or collusion but you know we are constantly in this area uh dependent upon federal dollars I mean we've been begging for 20 years to upgrade uh us 81 uh which is a very dangerous highway transversing through our community uh we we need federal dollars for that our airport is is controlled by the ffa faa federal aviation administration our current tower is 65 years old it was used when we got it it's very inadequate not near tall enough when the airport runway was extended a few years ago there's now blind spots on the runway um so um I think that you know we have calls to say hey wait a minute what what about these uh these needs and desires that we have so um I think we got to learn to work together.
see a video of the clip with commentary
Transcript of the clip
Barr: I've had numerous phone calls numerous emails numerous and I'm saying when I say numerous I'm talking 50 to 100 of each letters phone calls um emails and um you know been cursed called names the last couple days it's very concerning and I think you know the rhetoric needs to calm down if they are coming and we can't stop it I think we we need to put our heads together and as they always say make lemonade out of lemons and you know there's other things we do charge for water and sewer um you know soak it to them um charge them for services just like any other federal facility.
Interviewer: um yeah there's got to be there's got to be some way that Washington county could benefit from this whether we like it or not
Barr: Exactly and and frankly you know it some people might think it's blackmail or or collusion but you know we are constantly in this area uh dependent upon federal dollars I mean we've been begging for 20 years to upgrade uh us 81 uh which is a very dangerous highway transversing through our community uh we we need federal dollars for that our airport is is controlled by the ffa faa federal aviation administration our current tower is 65 years old it was used when we got it it's very inadequate not near tall enough when the airport runway was extended a few years ago there's now blind spots on the runway um so um I think that you know we have calls to say hey wait a minute what what about these uh these needs and desires that we have so um I think we got to learn to work together.
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1/28/26
Washington County Statement on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Notice Concerning Proposed ICE Facility: |
On January 14, 2026, a letter addressed to the Historic District Commission, Washington County Planning and Zoning Department was received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The letter indicated that DHS was analyzing the potential purchase of the warehouse at 10900 Hopewell Road (A/K/A 16220 Wright Road), Williamsport, MD, to establish a “new ICE Baltimore Processing Facility” for use by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Elements of the project mentioned in the letter include, “construction of holding and processing spaces, office space, public-facing visitor space and installation of amenities, such as cafeterias, bathrooms, and health care spaces”. Proposed site improvements mentioned in the letter include, but are not limited to, “installing, upgrading, or rehabilitating existing parking areas, fencing, site lighting, landscaping, drainage/stormwater, recreation areas and cameras. Tentage and guard shacks may also be installed.”
The letter was sent under a federal law that requires DHS to inform the local government of its determination on whether the project impacts historic property. In the letter, DHS communicated that the undertaking results “in a finding of No Historic Properties Affected”. The federal law in question does not give the County any opportunity to overrule that determination.
Generally, the Federal Government does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates (often referred to as the Supremacy Clause). As such, federal government entities historically have not sought the zoning approval of Washington County Government for projects and has not done so with respect to the property at 16220 Wright Road.
It is Washington County’s position that decisions about land use are best made locally. However, the legal reality when property is owned by the Federal Government is clear. Washington County is not able to legally restrict the federal government’s ability to proceed. DHS has not notified Washington County that a purchase has taken place.
Elements of the project mentioned in the letter include, “construction of holding and processing spaces, office space, public-facing visitor space and installation of amenities, such as cafeterias, bathrooms, and health care spaces”. Proposed site improvements mentioned in the letter include, but are not limited to, “installing, upgrading, or rehabilitating existing parking areas, fencing, site lighting, landscaping, drainage/stormwater, recreation areas and cameras. Tentage and guard shacks may also be installed.”
The letter was sent under a federal law that requires DHS to inform the local government of its determination on whether the project impacts historic property. In the letter, DHS communicated that the undertaking results “in a finding of No Historic Properties Affected”. The federal law in question does not give the County any opportunity to overrule that determination.
Generally, the Federal Government does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates (often referred to as the Supremacy Clause). As such, federal government entities historically have not sought the zoning approval of Washington County Government for projects and has not done so with respect to the property at 16220 Wright Road.
It is Washington County’s position that decisions about land use are best made locally. However, the legal reality when property is owned by the Federal Government is clear. Washington County is not able to legally restrict the federal government’s ability to proceed. DHS has not notified Washington County that a purchase has taken place.
Read the letter from DHS to the Historic District Commission
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Governor Moore's letter to Kristi Noem of February 6, 2026
Notes from a meeting on 1/26 with congresswoman April McLean Delaney
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Of the information she shared, one is that she believes the supremacy clause will not apply and has asked our attorney general to make a statement as to why.
She was made aware of concern about the possible connection with our airport. Her staff is going to do some research. She suggested that what we do at this point is to continue emailing and calling all of our elected officials, especially on the county side. She also suggested that we encourage businesses and people to put signs in their window that says 'no ice detention center here' or another appropriate phrase. All of the Democrats plan on not approving any budget that includes funding to ice. She also felt that the city of Hagerstown should refuse to provide water to the facility. She said there are a lot of things that she can’t share, but she has been meeting with attorneys, the governor and the Attorney General, and that according to all of them, the supremacy clause will not apply and that the AG would be making a statement soon to explain why. |
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Washington County Commissioner Jeff Cline told News Talk 103.7FM on January 5 -
“But what I can tell you that as of this morning [1/5] we have no knowledge of any private company or federal government contacting us about the location of a detention center here in our warehouses and we would not be privy to a private business conversation with the federal government at this time. We were hoping, or I am hoping, if such a matter does arise, that our local zoning and regulations would prohibit that. But last week, I had heard that there’s a term called the supremacy clause that the federal government could use to null or nix every one of our ordinances or zoning that would prohibit that. But as of right now we have no information, no knowledge of anything like that going to occur.” |
Listen to the interview. Warehouse discussion begins at 4:10
District 2B Delegate Matthew J. Schindler email regarding the 1/20 NO ICE JAIL rally on the Square
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"I have a bill submitted that would prohibit the conversion of ANY building into a detention center. Combined with zoning, utilities, and the dignity not detention act I'm hoping we can put enough barrier in the way of ICE that we can prevent this from happening." - Matt Schindler |
Hagerstown Councilwoman Tiara Burnett Facebook post 1/16/2026
I want to address a topic many residents have reached out to me about.
Hagerstown City Council was not initially made aware of any potential plans related to an ICE detention center in Hagerstown. Only recently have we begun hearing reports circulating that this may be a possibility.
As of today, City Council has not received official notice or formal communication regarding any proposed facility, site selection, or property purchase.
From what has been shared, this may be located in Washington County and outside Hagerstown city limits, but community questions have been raised to me personally. Those questions include concerns about detention conditions and humane treatment of detainees, access to due process protections, and potential impacts to utilities and infrastructure, including water and sewer capacity. To date, City Council has received no communication from government officials regarding utility needs, infrastructure planning, or community impact.
A few things are also important to understand about how this works:
- Maryland can limit what state and local government is allowed to participate in or support.
- If the property remains privately owned, county zoning rules and state restrictions may apply. This may include public notice and public hearings.
- If the federal government purchases and controls the property, federal authority may override certain state and county rules under federal supremacy, which limits local control.
Residents deserve clear, official information from our government, especially on issues with major community impact. If you have concerns or want clarification, please contact Washington County officials, including the County Commissioners and Planning and Zoning.
If a public hearing should be conducted at the county level, residents can also share feedback at that forum. Keep an eye on county meeting agendas for updates.
Hagerstown City Council was not initially made aware of any potential plans related to an ICE detention center in Hagerstown. Only recently have we begun hearing reports circulating that this may be a possibility.
As of today, City Council has not received official notice or formal communication regarding any proposed facility, site selection, or property purchase.
From what has been shared, this may be located in Washington County and outside Hagerstown city limits, but community questions have been raised to me personally. Those questions include concerns about detention conditions and humane treatment of detainees, access to due process protections, and potential impacts to utilities and infrastructure, including water and sewer capacity. To date, City Council has received no communication from government officials regarding utility needs, infrastructure planning, or community impact.
A few things are also important to understand about how this works:
- Maryland can limit what state and local government is allowed to participate in or support.
- If the property remains privately owned, county zoning rules and state restrictions may apply. This may include public notice and public hearings.
- If the federal government purchases and controls the property, federal authority may override certain state and county rules under federal supremacy, which limits local control.
Residents deserve clear, official information from our government, especially on issues with major community impact. If you have concerns or want clarification, please contact Washington County officials, including the County Commissioners and Planning and Zoning.
If a public hearing should be conducted at the county level, residents can also share feedback at that forum. Keep an eye on county meeting agendas for updates.
NOTE: Councilwoman Burnett was the only Hagerstown Council member to reply to questions from this page.
Video from Delegate Matthew J. Schindler's Facebook post on 12/24/25 speaking about possible Hagerstown ICE facility
go to the Schindler Facebook post - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Cst89b8F5/
The Washington County Commissioners, the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council Members, and the members of the Washington County Delegation to Annapolis were emailed questions about the Washington Post article on Monday, December 29, 2025.
See the questions and responses HERE.
City of Hagerstown Facebook post on 12/30/25
Rep. April McClain Delaney Press Releases
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Washington, DC—Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks were joined by U.S. Representatives Johnny Olszewski, Sarah Elfreth, Glenn Ivey, Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) in sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leadership condemning enforcement actions across the state that have stoked fear, caused injury, damaged property, and denied individuals their due process rights and dignity.
The lawmakers’ letter cites constituent concerns about ongoing impacts of ICE operations on Marylanders. This includes the conditions of holding rooms at ICE’s Baltimore Field office, which are designed for short-term detentions not to exceed 12 hours. However, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations has utilized these facilities to confine individuals for days while denying them basic human needs and legal counsel. The letter also comes on the heels of news reports revealing ICE’s plans to hold as many as 80,000 detained immigrants in new warehouse-style detention centers around the country, including a processing facility in Hagerstown, Maryland.
“As members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation, we write to express our serious concerns regarding Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) operations in our state over the past year, and to state our staunch opposition to reported plans to expand ICE detention. DHS and ICE have stoked fear throughout our communities by conducting reckless enforcement actions that have resulted in injuries, property damage, and unlawful or prolonged detentions without regard for our constituents’ safety and fundamental rights,” the lawmakers begin.
“These practices have no place in Maryland, are incompatible with our values, and underscore our opposition to any expansion of ICE’s presence in our communities,” they continued. “Any efforts to subject Hagerstown and Washington County to such a facility without the consent of state and local officials or our constituents is a serious violation of the principles of federalism and self-governance.”
The lawmakers go on to address the reported potential new ICE facility in Hagerstown, writing, “Our state has spoken. We believe no person in the United States, regardless of immigration status, should be subjected to inhumane conditions or detained without dignity or due process.”
The lawmakers concluded the letter with a demand for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons to submit all documentation, including “planning materials, solicitations, proposals, site assessments, and communications” concerning Hagerstown and other locations in Maryland since last year.
Read the letter.
Washington, DC—Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks were joined by U.S. Representatives Johnny Olszewski, Sarah Elfreth, Glenn Ivey, Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) in sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leadership condemning enforcement actions across the state that have stoked fear, caused injury, damaged property, and denied individuals their due process rights and dignity.
The lawmakers’ letter cites constituent concerns about ongoing impacts of ICE operations on Marylanders. This includes the conditions of holding rooms at ICE’s Baltimore Field office, which are designed for short-term detentions not to exceed 12 hours. However, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations has utilized these facilities to confine individuals for days while denying them basic human needs and legal counsel. The letter also comes on the heels of news reports revealing ICE’s plans to hold as many as 80,000 detained immigrants in new warehouse-style detention centers around the country, including a processing facility in Hagerstown, Maryland.
“As members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation, we write to express our serious concerns regarding Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) operations in our state over the past year, and to state our staunch opposition to reported plans to expand ICE detention. DHS and ICE have stoked fear throughout our communities by conducting reckless enforcement actions that have resulted in injuries, property damage, and unlawful or prolonged detentions without regard for our constituents’ safety and fundamental rights,” the lawmakers begin.
“These practices have no place in Maryland, are incompatible with our values, and underscore our opposition to any expansion of ICE’s presence in our communities,” they continued. “Any efforts to subject Hagerstown and Washington County to such a facility without the consent of state and local officials or our constituents is a serious violation of the principles of federalism and self-governance.”
The lawmakers go on to address the reported potential new ICE facility in Hagerstown, writing, “Our state has spoken. We believe no person in the United States, regardless of immigration status, should be subjected to inhumane conditions or detained without dignity or due process.”
The lawmakers concluded the letter with a demand for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons to submit all documentation, including “planning materials, solicitations, proposals, site assessments, and communications” concerning Hagerstown and other locations in Maryland since last year.
Read the letter.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney released a statement on reports of a proposed ICE detention facility in Hagerstown, Maryland:
"I am outraged by reports that the Trump Administration may be considering the construction of an ICE detention facility in or near Hagerstown. If true, this proposal is unacceptable—and I will fight it with every tool available to me.
"The mass detention of human beings without due process is a profound moral and constitutional failure. Detaining people—like asylum seekers and families—far from legal counsel, their support systems, and meaningful oversight creates a grave risk of unlawful detention and irreversible harm.
"Hagerstown is not a dumping ground for a broken federal system—it is a proud community built on fairness, decency, and the rule of law. I will not quietly accept a facility that threatens civil liberties, undermines due process, and contradicts our values.
"Let me be clear about what I am doing, and what I will continue to do, to stop this:
"This is about values and who we are, and that begins with protecting our neighbors. A government that detains people in bulk, behind walls and razor wire, without transparency or accountability, is a government that has lost its moral compass.
"I will not allow Hagerstown to become a symbol of that failure. I will fight this proposal publicly, relentlessly, and unapologetically—and I will keep the people of this community informed every step of the way."
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney released a statement on reports of a proposed ICE detention facility in Hagerstown, Maryland:
"I am outraged by reports that the Trump Administration may be considering the construction of an ICE detention facility in or near Hagerstown. If true, this proposal is unacceptable—and I will fight it with every tool available to me.
"The mass detention of human beings without due process is a profound moral and constitutional failure. Detaining people—like asylum seekers and families—far from legal counsel, their support systems, and meaningful oversight creates a grave risk of unlawful detention and irreversible harm.
"Hagerstown is not a dumping ground for a broken federal system—it is a proud community built on fairness, decency, and the rule of law. I will not quietly accept a facility that threatens civil liberties, undermines due process, and contradicts our values.
"Let me be clear about what I am doing, and what I will continue to do, to stop this:
- I am demanding full and immediate transparency from DHS and ICE, including all planning documents, contracts, internal analyses, and communications related to any proposed detention facility in Washington County. There will be no secrecy and no backroom decisions.
- I am scheduled to meet with ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations field office in Baltimore in January, where I will conduct my constitutionally required oversight of this facility which has my constituents locked inside.
- I will work with colleagues to use aggressive congressional oversight—including formal investigations—to expose any effort to rush this project forward while cutting corners on legality, due process, or human rights.
- I will oppose any attempt to detain people without full constitutional protections, and I will challenge policies that normalize prolonged or unlawful detention under the guise of efficiency.
- I will stand with community members, faith leaders, advocates, and local governments who are speaking out against this proposal, and I will elevate their voices at every level of the federal government.
"This is about values and who we are, and that begins with protecting our neighbors. A government that detains people in bulk, behind walls and razor wire, without transparency or accountability, is a government that has lost its moral compass.
"I will not allow Hagerstown to become a symbol of that failure. I will fight this proposal publicly, relentlessly, and unapologetically—and I will keep the people of this community informed every step of the way."
Washington County government response to Herald-Mail (1/1/26 article)
Washington County government response regarding potential immigration detention facility
The Herald-Mail reached out to Washington County government, asking if county officials were aware of a plan for an ICE facility in the Hagerstown area.
County spokesperson Danielle Weaver, on Dec. 30, responded via email:
"The County does not comment on US Government/Department of Homeland Security initiatives and is unaware of any actions currently to convert local warehouses for the purposes of immigration detention."
The Herald-Mail reached out to Washington County government, asking if county officials were aware of a plan for an ICE facility in the Hagerstown area.
County spokesperson Danielle Weaver, on Dec. 30, responded via email:
"The County does not comment on US Government/Department of Homeland Security initiatives and is unaware of any actions currently to convert local warehouses for the purposes of immigration detention."
Don't stand back and stand by. This is the time to stand up and speak out.
WASHINGTON COUNTY Indivisible / Washington County, Maryland