Washington County officials meet with DHS as ICE facility details emerge amid legal fight

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. - Washington County, Maryland officials are providing new details about a proposed ICE facility following their first formal meeting with the Department of Homeland Security, as the project faces legal challenges and community scrutiny.

What we know:

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners said officials met with DHS on March 16 to discuss the planned facility.

According to county officials, the site would function as a processing and booking facility, not a long-term detention center.

"The facility is a processing facility and not a detention center. It is essentially a booking facility," a county official said during the meeting.

Detainees are expected to stay for an average of three to seven days before being transferred to out-of-state facilities.

Officials said the facility is designed for up to 1,500 beds, with an expected average daily population of about 500 people.

DHS also indicated the facility would include 24/7 in-house medical staff, including doctors and nurses, to limit the impact on local emergency services.

Jurisdiction and infrastructure

County officials said the property is owned by the federal government, meaning Washington County does not have jurisdiction or oversight authority over the project.

Officials said they are seeking legal guidance on how local, state and federal authority applies in this case.

DHS told county leaders that a contractor would handle water and sewer engineering, and that the federal government would pay for any required infrastructure upgrades or increased capacity.

"This is now a property owned by the federal government. As such, Washington County government has no jurisdiction, and we are not the governing body that will be overseeing this project," a county official said during the update.

The backstory:

The proposed ICE facility has become the center of a legal dispute in Maryland.

Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the project, arguing federal officials moved forward without required environmental reviews and public input.

A federal judge has since issued a temporary order halting construction while the case moves forward.

The controversy has drawn protests and criticism from advocacy groups, who say the project has moved forward without sufficient public transparency.

What they're saying:

County officials described the meeting as a "significant step" toward improving communication with federal agencies.

They also said the discussion addressed community concerns and potential impacts on local resources.

DHS officials expressed a desire to maintain ongoing communication and collaboration.

The other side:

Advocacy groups say the meeting highlights ongoing concerns about transparency surrounding the project.

Hagerstown Rapid Response said county officials held the meeting with DHS without notifying the public in advance, raising concerns about how decisions related to the facility are being communicated.

"Residents are being told that county officials are engaging with DHS about a project that could dramatically impact our infrastructure, our community, and our reputation — but the public only finds out about those conversations after they’re over," said Patrick Dattilio with Hagerstown Rapid Response.

The group also pointed to ongoing protests, public records requests and concerns about infrastructure impacts, including water use and wastewater capacity.

Advocates say the controversy has grown as more details about the project have emerged, including job postings tied to the facility and ongoing legal challenges.

What's next:

Officials say they plan to continue communication with DHS as discussions about the facility move forward.

Residents are being encouraged to submit comments to the Board of County Commissioners.

Maryland