Maryland AG Continues Efforts to Halt ICE Detention Facility Construction Near Williamsport

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, seeking to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from proceeding with the construction and operation of an immigration detention facility near Williamsport, Maryland. This legal action follows a previous Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, which temporarily halted any work on the warehouse designated for conversion. The TRO has been extended to April 16 to accommodate the legal arguments surrounding the preliminary injunction request.

The lawsuit, initiated by Attorney General Brown on February 23, 2026, challenges the federal government’s acquisition and planned repurposing of the Williamsport warehouse, alleging violations of federal administrative and environmental laws. The motion for a preliminary injunction asks the court to impose a more lasting halt on all construction, retrofitting, and operational activities related to the facility while the broader litigation continues. The core of Maryland’s challenge lies in the alleged non-compliance with federal regulations governing such projects. Residents of Washington County and the surrounding areas will be directly affected by the outcome of this litigation, as it will determine whether a federal immigration detention center is established in their community. Further developments in the court case will clarify the future of the warehouse and its intended use.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

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