Washington County officials meet with DHS as local ICE facility faces legal challenge

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HAGERSTOWN,MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 26: The Washington County Administration Building on Feb.26, 2026 in Hagerstown, Md. (Photo by Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. - Washington County, Maryland officials met with federal leaders as a proposed ICE facility in the area faces a legal challenge and growing community concerns.

What we know:

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners said officials met with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security on March 16.

The discussion focused on a planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Washington County, bringing together county leaders, DHS officials and subject-matter experts.

Officials said they addressed community concerns and the potential impact on local resources during the meeting.

Signage and roadblocks were in place at a Washington County facility that appeared to be receiving a fleet of vehicles for Immigration, Customs and Enforcement. (Matthew Hubbard/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

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.

State officials have also raised concerns about potential impacts on infrastructure and the surrounding community.

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 and sharing information with federal partners.

DHS officials expressed support for continued dialogue and collaboration moving forward.

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 the meeting is the start of ongoing communication between Washington County and DHS as discussions about the facility continue and the legal case proceeds.