The State of Maryland has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop the construction of a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center. The legal action challenges federal plans to convert a large warehouse into a 1,500-bed facility, raising questions about environmental review and state input in federal detention projects.
Lawsuit Targets Federal Detention Expansion
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced that the state filed suit to stop the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from converting a 54-acre warehouse in Washington County into a federal detention center. The facility is planned to hold up to 1,500 individuals.
The federal government reportedly spent over $100 million on the property. Maryland officials argue that the purchase and proposed construction happened without an environmental review or public consultation. This prompted the state to take legal action to ensure that community and environmental factors are considered.
Federal Oversight and Local Authority
Washington County officials have said that federal authorities do not need local zoning approval for the project. Because of this, the county cannot legally stop construction of the detention facility, highlighting the conflict between federal authority and state oversight.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated that federal agencies must follow standard legal requirements. The state’s lawsuit raises concerns about how federal immigration enforcement can affect local communities, public health, and safety.
ICE Expansion Amid Controversy
The Trump administration plans to increase Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention capacity nationwide. DHS is expected to spend over $38 billion in 2026 on detention facilities, raising total ICE bed capacity to about 92,600.
Currently, there are more than 200 federal immigration detention centers in the United States. This proposal has faced criticism from both political parties, with some lawmakers worried about the scale and location of new facilities. Four Democratic members of Congress have introduced legislation requiring DHS to get written approval from state and local authorities before constructing, acquiring, or operating detention centers.
Looking Ahead
Maryland’s lawsuit reflects a larger debate over federal immigration enforcement and the expansion of detention facilities. The outcome could influence how states interact with DHS and ICE on future construction projects, as well as environmental and public health standards for federal facilities.
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Resources
- https://abcnews.com/amp/US/maryland-sues-trump-administration-stop-construction-ice-detention/story?id=130426708
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/02/23/ice-detention-center-lawsuit-maryland/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/baltimore/news/maryland-washington-county-ice-immigration-detention-center-lawsuit/
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