Maryland

Maryland AG sues DHS over $102 million ICE warehouse plan in Washington County

Published

6 days ago

February 24, 2026

Maryland AG sues DHS over 2 million ICE warehouse plan in Washington County

(WBFF) — Protesters packed a Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting earlier this month, demanding to be heard as the board approved a resolution supporting the mission of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

During the meeting, officials warned attendees to keep signs down and threatened to suspend the session if disruptions continued. “If I hear one more whistle blow, I will suspend this meeting,” an official said.

ALSO READ | Carroll County sheriff says ICE cooperation continues despite 287(g) ban

The controversy erupted following the federal government’s $102 million purchase of a large warehouse in Williamsport. There are plans to transform the building into an immigrant processing facility that would house 1,500 immigrants. The facility would be one of 16 new facilities in the country.

Washington County leaders formally backed federal immigration authorities earlier this month. However, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown had other ideas.

On Monday, Brown filed a federal complaint against the Department of Homeland Security, writing, “In their zeal to purchase and convert the Williamsport Warehouse into an immigration detention facility, Defendants have run roughshod over federal law and trampled on the State’s interests.”

The complaint accused the federal government of ignoring environmental concerns and public input on the project. Brown said the lawsuit seeks to stop work and force additional review.

“We’re asking the court to halt construction of this facility. We’re asking the court to require a proper environmental review with full public input. And we’re asking the court to declare what the administration did here was unlawful,” Brown said.

County leaders, however, insisted their ability to intervene is limited. In a statement, they wrote:

Generally, the Federal Government does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates. Washington County is not able to legally restrict the federal government’s ability to proceed.

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The county’s resolution supporting ICE passed, but the meeting ended amid loud outcry after a vote and a gavel slam.

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Maryland

SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

Published

7 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

Advocacy groups are raising concerns over a warehouse in Washington County that is slated to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility after dozens of black SUVs were moved to the warehouse’s parking lot on Sunday.

“When federal enforcement vehicles begin lining the warehouse lot, it sends a clear message about what’s taking shape in our community,” said the organizer of Hagerstown Rapid Response, Claire Connor. “We refuse to let ICE quietly plant roots in Washington County without transparency, accountability and community consent.”

The 825,620-square-foot warehouse is located at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport. Access to the facility was blocked by orange traffic barriers and signs outlining regulations and “governing conduct on federal property” with the Department of Homeland Security emblem at the top of the page.

In late January, Washington County issued a news release stating that on Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a letter to the county’s historic district commission and department of planning and zoning regarding the property.

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Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun’s website.

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Maryland

Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

Published

19 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

COLUMBIA, Md. (WBFF) — An adult man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Columbia early Sunday, prompting an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division.

Howard County police said officers were called on March 1, at about 12:09 a.m., to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult male threatening to harm himself.

According to police, at about 12:22 a.m., officers encountered the man outside the building. The man approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon, police said. Officers then shot the man.

ALSO READ | Gas leak explosion, fire in Prince George’s County leaves 1 injured

Officers attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officersrecovered a knife near the man.

No officers were injured, and the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras.

The Independent Investigations Division is investigating.

Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email atIID@oag.maryland.gov.

The IID willgenerally releasethe name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary,pursuant toIID protocol.

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TheIID willgenerally releasebody-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.

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