Maryland Cabinet Secretaries and Congressional Delegation Demand Immediate Halt to Federal Immigration Detention Project

Maryland secretaries and lawmakers demand a halt to the Williamsport ICE detention center, citing environmental risks and a lack of transparency.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 5:11 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Maryland Matters

State Agencies Challenge Federal Transparency

The secretaries of Maryland’s departments of Environment, Transportation, and Natural Resources have formally condemned a Trump administration proposal to establish a large scale detention facility in Williamsport. In a detailed 10 page letter, the cabinet members accused U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of bypasssing standard public notice protocols to "sneak" the project through. The critique focuses on a Jan. 16 purchase of a local warehouse for more than $100 million, a transaction state officials claim was shielded from public and state scrutiny until after the sale was finalized.

Environmental Risks and Endangered Species

Environmental protection is at the forefront of the state’s opposition. Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain highlighted that the proposed site sits within a significant floodplain. The secretaries warned that the industrial conversion could lead to thermal pollution in nearby waterways, potentially devastating local aquatic life. Specifically, the letter expresses grave concern for the brook floater and green floater mussels, both of which are listed as endangered species by the state. Without detailed engineering specifications from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), officials argue it is currently impossible to mitigate these ecological threats.

Infrastructure Strain on Williamsport

The logistical burden on the town of Williamsport, which has a population of approximately 2,000, is a major point of contention. State officials estimate that a 1,500 bed facility would generate roughly 187,000 gallons of wastewater daily. This volume is expected to far exceed the capacity of the town’s existing sewer and water infrastructure. Furthermore, the Maryland Department of Transportation raised alarms regarding increased traffic congestion and the potential for delayed emergency response times on local access routes, though they noted that the federal government has yet to provide the staffing data necessary for a full impact study.