Opponents of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Maryland have placed a novel billboard along Dual Highway in Washington County to voice their opposition. The sign reads, “ICE Camp is planned 5.6 miles ahead,” followed by the message, “Not in our community.” This marks the latest action by Hagerstown Rapid Response, a grassroots organization actively resisting the planned detention facility in Williamsport.
The billboard highlights ongoing community resistance to a project that began when the Department of Homeland Security acquired a large warehouse in a private sale last year. DHS subsequently announced plans to convert the facility at 16220 Wright Road into a detention center capable of holding up to 1,500 individuals. Local residents and advocacy groups have since mobilized, citing concerns over transparency, environmental impact, and the potential effects on the surrounding community.
Recent legal developments have intensified the conflict. On April 15, 2026, a federal court hearing was held in Baltimore regarding Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s lawsuit against DHS over the Williamsport facility. The case, originally filed on February 23, 2026, seeks to halt construction of the detention center. A temporary restraining order (TRO) had previously been issued, halting work on the site, and remained in effect through April 16, 2026—the day after the hearing. Hagerstown Rapid Response and Washington County Indivisible have been involved in monitoring compliance with the order and providing evidence for the case.
According to court filings referenced in the proceedings, a federal judge determined that DHS had not completed adequate environmental studies or engaged in sufficient communication with state officials and nearby residents before advancing the project. The judge’s ruling supported the extension of the TRO, pausing major construction activities at the warehouse site. A DHS spokesperson previously told NBC4 that the agency disagrees with the court’s decision, maintaining that the project complies with all necessary regulations.
Earlier in the year, on March 1, 2026, photographic evidence obtained by Project Salt Box from Hagerstown Rapid Response showed 53 unmarked government vehicles delivered overnight to the DHS warehouse in Williamsport. The vehicles, mostly SUVs and trucks, were staged behind the facility, which is likewise referenced in ICE documents under the address 10900 Hopewell Road. Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) commented on the development, stating she is coordinating with Governor Wes Moore, the Maryland Attorney General, and the state’s U.S. Senators to ensure a unified response. She accused DHS of misleading the public, particularly noting the late-Friday announcement of a public comment period on the environmental impacts of the facility.
Patrick Dattilio, an organizer with Hagerstown Rapid Response, said the arrival of the vehicles signaled an effort to advance the project before residents could fully respond. “That tells you everything — this was never about transparency, it was about pushing this operation forward before residents could stop it,” he stated in an interview with Project Salt Box. The images showed the vehicles parked behind the warehouse at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport, Maryland.
The controversy has drawn attention from local officials as well. On February 10, 2026, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to support DHS and ICE’s planned detention facility. The vote took less than 30 minutes, according to reports from Popular Resistance, but has since galvanized opposition efforts. Delegate Matthew Schindler previously made a public statement about Hagerstown being listed as a potential site for an ICE detention center, contributing to early public awareness of the plans.
Hagerstown Rapid Response has continued to organize protests and public outreach, including the billboard campaign, to inform residents and challenge the project. The group maintains a timeline of events related to the facility on its website, tracking developments from initial announcements to legal actions and community responses. Their efforts have focused on demanding transparency, urging adherence to environmental review processes, and advocating for community input in decisions affecting local residents.
As of the April 15, 2026, court hearing, the future of the Williamsport detention center remains uncertain, pending further judicial review. The TRO’s extension through April 16 preserved the status quo, but no final ruling has been issued. Supporters of the facility argue it is necessary for federal immigration enforcement, whereas opponents warn of risks to civil liberties, local safety, and environmental health.
For ongoing updates, readers can refer to the U.S. District Court docket for Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s lawsuit against DHS, or follow announcements from the Maryland Attorney General’s office and Hagerstown Rapid Response regarding upcoming hearings or filings.
If you have information or perspectives on this developing story, we encourage you to share them in the comments below. Help keep the conversation informed and grounded in facts by spreading this article to others who may be affected or interested.