Washington County commissioners adopt resolution to support DHS, ICE amid protests in Hagerstown

The Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution in full support of federal immigration enforcement amid intense hours-long protests that disrupted Tuesday’s meeting in Hagerstown.

What the resolution says

The county’s resolution adopted Tuesday morning is titled “Support for the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Local Law Enforcement.”

| PDF: Read the resolution

As part of the resolution, commissioners expressed full support for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and local municipal law enforcement agencies.

In it, the commissioners cite the need for and the government’s duty to ensure safety and security of the community.

The commissioners are encouraging ongoing cooperation and partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies “to ensure the welfare and security of all citizens and legal residents within our jurisdiction.”

Additionally, the commissioners declared intent to support DHS and ICE in the enforcement of the nation’s borders, as well as “safeguarding the integrity of our immigration system and ensuring that all persons are treated with dignity and compassion within our jurisdiction.”

Why are they protesting?

DHS and ICE have plans to open and operate an ICE detention center just outside of Hagerstown at a 54-acre warehouse property it just bought for $102 million.

Some 100 protesters could be heard inside the meeting blowing whistles and were warned multiple times that the meeting room would be cleared upon further outbursts. The protests continued as commissioners adopted a resolution in total support of DHS and ICE.

Protesters told WBAL-TV 11 News that county officials are ignoring their perspective.

“You don’t put human beings in a renovated warehouse,” said Carol Schofield, a protester.

“The message is that the federal government is trampling all over the rights of the citizens who live here,” said Richard Hartman, a protester.

“These ICE facilities are inhumane and I don’t want them here. I don’t want them anywhere,” said John Roberts, a protester.

The protesters did get some reaction from the community as some drivers honked their horns in support while passing by.

There were also two counter protesters in attendance.

“(The message is the) same as it’s always been, just coming out here to support our country, support the protection of our borders of our country,” said Richard Hrabe, a counter protester.

Federal, state leaders seek to block Hagerstown warehouse

U.S. Rep. April McClain-Delaney, D-District 6, who represents Washington County, announced she has introduced legislation intended to block the facility near Hagerstown.

In a letter obtained Tuesday morning by WBAL-TV 11 News Maryland’s two U.S. senators along with the county’s representative in Congress wrote to the Washington County commissioners, essentially asking if the county is equipped to handle this type of facility and if they’ve done their due diligence.

| PDF: Read the letter

McClain-Delaney’s office said the House bill would prohibit ICE from establishing or operating a planned immigration detention facility in Williamsport or elsewhere in Washington County.

| PDF: Read the bill

The bill is also intended to bar the use of any Congressionally-appropriated funds for the project and provide a legal pathway for county residents, state and local officials, and members of Congress to challenge the development of any such planned facility in court, according to McClain-Delaney’s office.

“For DHS to pursue such sweeping and dangerous plans in darkness is yet another example of the Trump administration acting without transparency, accountability, or regard for human life. I recently saw for myself ICE’s horrendous treatment of detainees at its Baltimore field office, and I refuse to remain silent as they thrust a facility — similar to a private prison — upon Washington County,” McClain-Delaney said in a statement.

The governor wrote a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and directed state agency heads and the attorney general to review all applicable law and all available options.

Other ICE-related legislation across Maryland

This comes as the Maryland General Assembly and multiple jurisdictions have passed or are considering ICE-related bills.

Last week, the Maryland House and Senate both passed versions of bills to ban 287(g) agreements. House Bill 444 passed by a 99-40 vote and Senate Bill 245 passed by a 32-12 vote; both are considered emergency legislation, which means the final bill would take effect upon the governor’s approval.

The bills are now making their way to the governor’s desk after clearing both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly last week.

Other bills are expected to be introduced this session, including a data privacy bill that would protect personal information, such as immigration status.

Local jurisdictions are also considering ICE legislation. Emergency legislation in Howard County was signed to block an ICE detention facility from opening in Elkridge. In Baltimore County, two bills would expand the county’s outreach in the immigrant community and add restrictions to federal immigration officers.

And, in Baltimore City, councilmembers are considering two bills to limit immigration enforcement activity at city-owned properties and limit city resources and personnel funds used to coordinate and collaborate with ICE actions.