HAGERSTOWN WAREHOUSE INTO ICE FACILITY
QUESTIONS
Presented to the Board of County Commissioners on 2/3/26 20 & 2/10/26
(probable answers added based on the pro-ICE resolution)
1. What does the county know? Tell us! We want transparency!
2. Will the county hold a public informational meeting to address questions?
3. Do YOU, as an individual, support an ICE facility coming to the county? Where do you stand? For or Against?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is FOR
4. Does the BOCC support an ICE facility coming to the county? Where does the board stand? For or Against?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is FOR
5. Will you, as an individual commissioner, support the BOCC making a resolution in opposition?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is NO
6. Will you, as an individual commissioner, support the BOCC writing a letter to Sec. Noem in opposition?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is NO
7. What will be the impact on emergency services and local law enforcement?
8. Will the county enable the conversion by treating it like a normal economic development project?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is YES
9. Will the county act to prevent/slow the warehouse conversion by enforcing permitting, codes, zoning and anything else in its power?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is NO
10. What is the county’s involvement in the water and sewage allocation process for the ICE facility?
11. Can the county limit or stop any additional water/sewage allocation for the facility?
12. Can the current water and waste pipes handle the anticipated volume?
13. How will increasing the water allocation for the warehouse impact nearby homes, businesses, fire hydrant pressure, and future development in the area?
14. Who pays if infrastructure improvements are necessary outside of the facility’s property?
15. Can the wastewater treatment plant handle the increased volume?
16. Must any wells drilled on site be approved through the county and the health department?
17. How much tax revenue will the county lose as a result of the sale to the federal government?
18. Does the county require or expect the feds to interact with it on any steps in the conversion process, and if so, what are those steps?
19. Is the county just waiting to see what happens next or are you preparing proactively?
20. Has the county or any individual commissioner contacted or been contacted by state or federal elected officials about this? If so, what was discussed?
2. Will the county hold a public informational meeting to address questions?
3. Do YOU, as an individual, support an ICE facility coming to the county? Where do you stand? For or Against?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is FOR
4. Does the BOCC support an ICE facility coming to the county? Where does the board stand? For or Against?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is FOR
5. Will you, as an individual commissioner, support the BOCC making a resolution in opposition?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is NO
6. Will you, as an individual commissioner, support the BOCC writing a letter to Sec. Noem in opposition?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is NO
7. What will be the impact on emergency services and local law enforcement?
8. Will the county enable the conversion by treating it like a normal economic development project?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is YES
9. Will the county act to prevent/slow the warehouse conversion by enforcing permitting, codes, zoning and anything else in its power?
Based on the Resolution, we assume the answer is NO
10. What is the county’s involvement in the water and sewage allocation process for the ICE facility?
11. Can the county limit or stop any additional water/sewage allocation for the facility?
12. Can the current water and waste pipes handle the anticipated volume?
13. How will increasing the water allocation for the warehouse impact nearby homes, businesses, fire hydrant pressure, and future development in the area?
14. Who pays if infrastructure improvements are necessary outside of the facility’s property?
15. Can the wastewater treatment plant handle the increased volume?
16. Must any wells drilled on site be approved through the county and the health department?
17. How much tax revenue will the county lose as a result of the sale to the federal government?
18. Does the county require or expect the feds to interact with it on any steps in the conversion process, and if so, what are those steps?
19. Is the county just waiting to see what happens next or are you preparing proactively?
20. Has the county or any individual commissioner contacted or been contacted by state or federal elected officials about this? If so, what was discussed?
Emailed to elected officials on 12/29/25
Washington County Commissioners, Hagerstown Mayor and Council Members, and members of the Washington County Delegation to Annapolis each received emails similar to this on December 29, 2025:
The December 24, 2025, Washington Post article “ICE documents reveal plan to hold 80,000 immigrants in warehouses” listed Hagerstown as one of the locations where the federal government may be seeking to renovate industrial warehouses into Immigration Customs Enforcement detention and processing facilities.
From the article:
“Rather than shuttling detainees around the country to wherever detention space is available, as happens now, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement aims to speed up deportations by establishing a deliberate feeder system, the document says. Newly arrested detainees would be booked into processing sites for a few weeks before being funneled into one of seven large-scale warehouses holding 5,000 to 10,000 people each, where they would be staged for deportation.
The large warehouses would be located close to major logistics hubs in Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia and Missouri. Sixteen smaller warehouses would hold up to 1,500 people each.”
Hagerstown is listed as a location for one of the smaller warehouses designed to hold 500-1500 detainees.
This possibility raises several questions:
From the article:
“Rather than shuttling detainees around the country to wherever detention space is available, as happens now, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement aims to speed up deportations by establishing a deliberate feeder system, the document says. Newly arrested detainees would be booked into processing sites for a few weeks before being funneled into one of seven large-scale warehouses holding 5,000 to 10,000 people each, where they would be staged for deportation.
The large warehouses would be located close to major logistics hubs in Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia and Missouri. Sixteen smaller warehouses would hold up to 1,500 people each.”
Hagerstown is listed as a location for one of the smaller warehouses designed to hold 500-1500 detainees.
This possibility raises several questions:
- Is renovating a warehouse into a facility to house 500-1500 detainees legally possible in Hagerstown/Washington County?
- What restrictions would have to be overcome or what conditions would have to be met for such renovations to happen in Hagerstown/Washington County?
- Does current zoning allow such conversions?
- Do current warehouse sites have access to the necessary water and sewer infrastructure to house 500-1500 detainees?
- How many existing warehouses in the city and county are vacant and do they meet the required zoning and infrastructure requirements?
- Does the 2021, ”Dignity Not Detention Act” prevent such warehouse conversions by a private entity or by the federal government in Maryland?
- Is the county/city/delegation aware of any actions to begin such warehouse conversions in Hagerstown or Washington County?
- Do you, as an individual elected official, support the renovation of existing warehouses or construction of new facilities into I.C.E. detention/processing facilities in Hagerstown or Washington County?
- Will you, as an individual elected official, pledge to keep the citizens informed of any activity you become aware of related to I.C.E. detention/processing facilities coming to Hagerstown or Washington County?
Responses from elected officials:
(Responses posted in order received)
Delegate Matthew J. Schindler responded 12/29/25 -
Good morning,
As you can imagine my office has gotten many inquiries similar to your own.
I’ll answer what I can. I’m also in search of answers to these questions myself. I’ve reached out to the city, county, and federal representatives to see if we can glean any additional information.
6. Does the 2021, ”Dignity Not Detention Act” prevent such warehouse conversions by a private entity or by the federal government in Maryland?
Legislation - HB0016 – This legislation reads to me that it prevents state or local jurisdictions from entering into entering into agreements. I don’t see that it specifically prohibits such an agreement from a private entity, just sets up guidelines, prohibits incentives from local govt to private entities, and sets up public hearing rules for such a private entity agreement. I’ve linked the full legislation here.
7. Is the delegation aware of any actions to begin such warehouse conversions in Hagerstown or Washington County?
No concrete information has been presented other than the Washington Post article. Inquiries regarding zoning, contact from the Federal Government, etc have gone out. I have also reached out to members of the business and religious community.
8. Do you, as an individual elected official, support the renovation of existing warehouses or construction of new facilities into I.C.E. detention/processing facilities in Hagerstown or Washington County?
No. I have many zoning, security, and human rights concerned based on the proposed uses and quotes regarding the plan as presented so far.
9. Will you, as an individual elected official, pledge to keep the citizens informed of any activity you become aware of related to I.C.E. detention/processing facilities coming to Hagerstown or Washington County?
Always
Sincerely,
Delegate Matthew J. Schindler
Maryland House of Delegates – Room 221
District 2B – Hagerstown / Washington County
410-841-3125
[email protected]
As you can imagine my office has gotten many inquiries similar to your own.
I’ll answer what I can. I’m also in search of answers to these questions myself. I’ve reached out to the city, county, and federal representatives to see if we can glean any additional information.
6. Does the 2021, ”Dignity Not Detention Act” prevent such warehouse conversions by a private entity or by the federal government in Maryland?
Legislation - HB0016 – This legislation reads to me that it prevents state or local jurisdictions from entering into entering into agreements. I don’t see that it specifically prohibits such an agreement from a private entity, just sets up guidelines, prohibits incentives from local govt to private entities, and sets up public hearing rules for such a private entity agreement. I’ve linked the full legislation here.
7. Is the delegation aware of any actions to begin such warehouse conversions in Hagerstown or Washington County?
No concrete information has been presented other than the Washington Post article. Inquiries regarding zoning, contact from the Federal Government, etc have gone out. I have also reached out to members of the business and religious community.
8. Do you, as an individual elected official, support the renovation of existing warehouses or construction of new facilities into I.C.E. detention/processing facilities in Hagerstown or Washington County?
No. I have many zoning, security, and human rights concerned based on the proposed uses and quotes regarding the plan as presented so far.
9. Will you, as an individual elected official, pledge to keep the citizens informed of any activity you become aware of related to I.C.E. detention/processing facilities coming to Hagerstown or Washington County?
Always
Sincerely,
Delegate Matthew J. Schindler
Maryland House of Delegates – Room 221
District 2B – Hagerstown / Washington County
410-841-3125
[email protected]
Commissioner Jeff Cline responded 12/30/25 -
Sir
I have received your message.
And I have forwarded to staff for review.
Thanks
Jeff Cline
I have received your message.
And I have forwarded to staff for review.
Thanks
Jeff Cline
City Councilmember Tiara Burnett responded 12/30/25 -
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out. In response to the December 24, 2025 Washington Post article reporting that ICE may be considering the use of industrial warehouses to detain and process immigrants, I want to clarify the current local understanding as it relates to Hagerstown and Washington County.
At this time, neither the City’s Economic Development nor Planning Departments have received any information, inquiries, or applications indicating that such activity is being proposed within Hagerstown city limits. I cannot speak on behalf of Washington County staff.
Within Hagerstown, there are only two warehouse properties with available space, and neither is remotely close to the capacity required to house approximately 1,500 individuals or to support the necessary amenities for detention or processing. Additionally, from a county infrastructure standpoint, current utility capacity—particularly water, which is limited to approximately six EDU—would be wholly insufficient for any form of temporary or permanent housing at that scale.
We will continue to remain attentive to any developments and, should any proposal emerge, we will review it closely against our zoning and land management codes to determine whether such a use would even be permissible.
To be clear, I do not support the establishment of ICE detention facilities in any part of Hagerstown.
Thank you
Tiara Burnett
City Councilmember of Hagerstown, MD
[email protected]
Thank you for reaching out. In response to the December 24, 2025 Washington Post article reporting that ICE may be considering the use of industrial warehouses to detain and process immigrants, I want to clarify the current local understanding as it relates to Hagerstown and Washington County.
At this time, neither the City’s Economic Development nor Planning Departments have received any information, inquiries, or applications indicating that such activity is being proposed within Hagerstown city limits. I cannot speak on behalf of Washington County staff.
Within Hagerstown, there are only two warehouse properties with available space, and neither is remotely close to the capacity required to house approximately 1,500 individuals or to support the necessary amenities for detention or processing. Additionally, from a county infrastructure standpoint, current utility capacity—particularly water, which is limited to approximately six EDU—would be wholly insufficient for any form of temporary or permanent housing at that scale.
We will continue to remain attentive to any developments and, should any proposal emerge, we will review it closely against our zoning and land management codes to determine whether such a use would even be permissible.
To be clear, I do not support the establishment of ICE detention facilities in any part of Hagerstown.
Thank you
Tiara Burnett
City Councilmember of Hagerstown, MD
[email protected]
Danielle Weaver, Washington County Public Relations & Marketing Team responded on 1/2/26 to the email sent to Commissioner Cline -
Many of these questions require a legal and factual analysis, which is beyond the scope of what the County can provide based on the posed assumptions. Additionally, the County does not offer legal advice to its citizens. Some of these questions may be construed as records requests and will be processed according to the Public Information Act. Furthermore, the County does not comment on U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security initiatives and is unaware of any actions currently underway to convert local warehouses for the purpose of immigration detention.
Sincerely,
Danielle Weaver
Public Relations & Marketing Team
100 West Washington Street, Suite 2600
Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net
Many of these questions require a legal and factual analysis, which is beyond the scope of what the County can provide based on the posed assumptions. Additionally, the County does not offer legal advice to its citizens. Some of these questions may be construed as records requests and will be processed according to the Public Information Act. Furthermore, the County does not comment on U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security initiatives and is unaware of any actions currently underway to convert local warehouses for the purpose of immigration detention.
Sincerely,
Danielle Weaver
Public Relations & Marketing Team
100 West Washington Street, Suite 2600
Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net
Delegate William J. Wivell, Maryland House of Delegates, responded on 1/5/26
The delegation has no specific knowledge of any sites in Washington County being selected to house ICE detainees. And I suspect that such housing would, at a minimum, need planning & zoning approval. Many of your questions would need to be answered by County government as they involve questions of zoning, housing, and provision of water & sewer. We have forwarded your email onto the County for answers. I would suspect that federal law would pre-empt State and local laws but further surmise that is something that the court system would eventually decide. As to whether we would support or not support any such action, we would have to see the specifics of any such proposal and can certainly keep the citizens informed if any such proposal is made. We will further research the details pertaining to the Dignity not Detention Act. Thank you for contacting us regarding this matter.
Delegate William J. Wivell
Maryland House of Delegates – Room 324
District 2A - Washington & Frederick Counties
Chairman – Washington County Delegation
Chairman – Western Maryland Delegation
PO Box 333
Smithsburg, Maryland 21783
410-841-3447 (Annapolis Office)
[email protected]
The delegation has no specific knowledge of any sites in Washington County being selected to house ICE detainees. And I suspect that such housing would, at a minimum, need planning & zoning approval. Many of your questions would need to be answered by County government as they involve questions of zoning, housing, and provision of water & sewer. We have forwarded your email onto the County for answers. I would suspect that federal law would pre-empt State and local laws but further surmise that is something that the court system would eventually decide. As to whether we would support or not support any such action, we would have to see the specifics of any such proposal and can certainly keep the citizens informed if any such proposal is made. We will further research the details pertaining to the Dignity not Detention Act. Thank you for contacting us regarding this matter.
Delegate William J. Wivell
Maryland House of Delegates – Room 324
District 2A - Washington & Frederick Counties
Chairman – Washington County Delegation
Chairman – Western Maryland Delegation
PO Box 333
Smithsburg, Maryland 21783
410-841-3447 (Annapolis Office)
[email protected]
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