Unmarked SUVs Appear at ICE Facility in Williamsport, Maryland, Additional Information About Facility Plans Surface

While questions still linger regarding water/sewer access for the Williamsport facility at 16220 Wright Road in Hagerstown, additional details regarding the facility’s future have now emerged. Contrary to previous ICE statements that they had no new detention facilities to announce, recent available documents now refer to the facility as a “detention processing facility.” Additionally, while the facility remains blocked with traffic barrels and cables, multiple unmarked SUVs have appeared in the parking lot behind the warehouse, not visible from the road.

Here’s what we know so far, based upon publicly available documents.

Facility Purpose and Scope

• Operational Use: ICE proposes to rehabilitate the recently purchased 825,000-square-foot warehouse for use as a “Detention Processing Center”.
• Function: The facility will provide short-term housing for individuals in immigration custody awaiting processing and administrative procedures.
• Property Details: The site is a 53.74-acre previously developed industrial property constructed in 2022.

Proposed Site Improvements

The project involves retrofitting the existing structure with no site improvements expected to exceed the height of the current building or expand beyond existing boundaries.

• Security Infrastructure:
  • Installation of 6,700 linear feet of perimeter security fencing enclosing a 38-acre secure operational area.
  • Installation of one modular security checkpoint/guard shack (approximately 150 square feet).
  • Addition of exterior lighting, security cameras, and personnel/guest access controls.
• Exterior Modifications:
  • Painting or sealing the exterior of the structure.
  • Modifying, adding, or removing truck bays, window bays, or doors.
  • Repairing or replacing the roof or cladding.
• Interior Renovations:
  • Construction of holding and processing spaces, office space, and public-facing visitor areas.
  • Installation of amenities including cafeterias, bathrooms, and health care spaces.
• Site Utilities and Grounds:
  • Six exterior recreation courts on existing asphalt surfaces with possible awning piers.
  • Upgrading or rehabilitating existing parking, landscaping, and drainage/stormwater systems.
  • Replacement of the existing emergency generator and installation of new telecommunications/fiber optic cabling.
  • Sanitary sewer connections or modifications to accommodate projected wastewater flows.

We were originally notified of the new vehicles by Hagerstown Rapid Response, who sent us photos of the vehicles today. The group has an active petition on Change.org against the warehouse being used as an ICE facility, which now has 3,500 signatures. A counter petition in support of the facility also exists, with 59 signatures as of publication.

“When federal enforcement vehicles begin lining the warehouse lot, it sends a clear message about what’s taking shape in our community. We refuse to let ICE quietly plant roots in Washington County without transparency, without accountability, and without the community’s consent – and we will continue organizing until every decision made in our name is brought into the light,” said Claire Connor, an organizer with Hagerstown Rapid Response.

“Government vehicles are already pulling into the DHS warehouse while our community is still being denied straight answers. That tells you everything – this was never about transparency, it was about pushing this operation forward before residents could stop it,” said Patrick Dattilio, another organizer with Hagerstown Rapid Response. Dattilio recently filed for Democratic Central Committee for the 2026 election cycle.

Project Salt Box, a watchdog organization dedicated to tracking ICE activity, claims that the vehicles have been or are being transported from Minneapolis.

While the SUVs are similar in appearance to SUVs used by ICE across the country, some appear to be brand new featuring DARCARS logos instead of license plates. According to DARCARS X.com account, the company has “40 franchises in 30 showrooms in DC MD, VA, FL, NJ, CT, & NY”. Based upon this information, it is unlikely that the SUVs featuring DARCARS logos came from Minneapolis. Additionally, some of the SUVs still have manufacturer protective film, indicating these are likely new SUVs, and probably not from across the country.

Additionally, it has been recently revealed in DHS’ floodplain announcement that ICE was considering three other facilities in the Baltimore area, but ultimately the Williamsport facility was considered the most feasible.

All of our available documents regarding the facility are available on DocumentCloud. We will continue to track this story as more developments emerge.

Article by Ken Buckler based upon information provided by Hagerstown Rapid Response and previous coverage.

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