Maryland County Meeting Descends Into Chaos Over ICE Detention Center Approval
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — A routine county board meeting in Washington County, Maryland, erupted into chaos on February 13 after officials voted to endorse cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the acquisition of a $102 million warehouse in Williamsport intended for use as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. The decision sparked vocal protests both inside and outside the meeting, forcing officials to cut the live television broadcast amid whistles and chants from demonstrators.
The contentious vote took place in the suburban county seat of Hagerstown, just a few miles north of the newly purchased facility located across the Potomac River from Falling Waters, West Virginia. The warehouse’s proximity—approximately 75 miles from Washington, D.C.—and its intended use as a detention center have ignited fierce opposition from local Democrats and activists who view the move as an endorsement of controversial immigration enforcement policies.
Protesters had gathered outside the county building prior to the meeting, and their presence only intensified as the board deliberated. When President John Barr attempted to gavel the meeting to a close, the crowd’s outcry grew louder, prompting officials to suspend the televised coverage to restore order. The disruption underscored the deep divisions within the community over immigration and federal law enforcement cooperation.
The purchase of the Williamsport warehouse was completed by DHS in recent weeks, marking a significant investment in the region’s infrastructure for immigration detention. According to ICE’s official facility listings, such centers are often used to house individuals pending immigration proceedings or deportation. However, the expansion of detention capacity has been met with increasing scrutiny nationwide amid ongoing debates about immigration policy and human rights.
The controversy surrounding the facility also drew the attention of prominent figures, including David Trone, billionaire owner of Total Wine and a former U.S. House member, who posted videos highlighting local opposition to the project. His involvement has amplified the issue’s visibility beyond the immediate community, signaling potential political ramifications ahead of upcoming elections.
Washington County’s decision aligns with a broader trend of some local governments formalizing partnerships with federal agencies to address immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement efforts have often relied on such cooperation, but they remain contentious in many jurisdictions, particularly “blue” or Democratic-leaning areas where public sentiment tends to favor more lenient immigration policies.
The board’s endorsement included not only the warehouse purchase but also a resolution supporting ongoing collaboration with DHS. This stance has drawn criticism from civil liberties organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which has historically opposed detention centers on grounds of human rights and due process concerns.
As protests continue and the facility prepares to become operational, Washington County finds itself at the center of a heated national debate over immigration enforcement, balancing federal priorities against local community values. The disruption at the county meeting reflects the broader tensions playing out across the United States as immigration remains one of the most polarizing issues in American politics.
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