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Protests Erupt in Maryland Over Potential ICE Detention Center
Residents of Hagerstown,Maryland,and surrounding areas protested on January 19,2026,against the potential opening of a large Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. The protests were sparked by reports that ICE is considering using warehouses to detain immigrants awaiting deportation.
ICE Considers Warehouse Detention Facilities
In November 2023, NBC News reported that ICE was exploring the purchase of large warehouses to house detained immigrants. ICE officials stated these facilities, dubbed “mega-detention centers,” would ”increase efficiency” in deportation processes. The Washington Post later identified Hagerstown, Maryland, and Stafford, Virginia, as potential locations for these facilities in December 2023.
Local Opposition and Concerns
The prospect of a detention center in Washington County has drawn strong opposition from local residents and elected officials. Protesters voiced concerns about the human rights implications of detaining individuals in warehouse-like facilities. One protester expressed feeling “nauseous” upon learning of the plans, while another described the idea as “cruel” and likened it to a “concentration camp” or a “jail.”
Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney joined the protest, emphasizing their commitment to seeking answers from ICE. “We are asking for answers from ICE,” Van Hollen stated. “Indeed, today, Senator Alsobrooks, Congresswoman Delaney, and I sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security asking about their plans and what they are planning to do here.”
ICE Response and
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