BASIC CALL TO ACTION FACT SHEET

Washington County Commissioner’s Meeting Date: Tuesday, February 3 9:30 AM

Meeting Location: 100 W Washington St Hagerstown, MD

The Issue: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has purchased this 825,000-square-foot facility for $102.4 million to establish a massive ICE detention center. We are calling on the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to oppose this project.

DHS Purchased Site Location: 16220 Wright Road, Williamsport, MD 21795

THE COST TO OUR COMMUNITY

  • Tax Revenue Loss: As federal property, this site is removed from local tax rolls. Residents lose the property tax revenue that should fund our schools and roads.
  • Emergency Services Burden: Local Fire, EMT, and Police will be the first responders to 1,500+ detainees and staff. This drains resources from our neighbors without federal reimbursement.
  • Infrastructure Strain: A facility of this size puts immense pressure on our water supply and wastewater treatment plants. Who pays for the upgrades?

THE HUMAN COST:  We aren't just fighting a "warehouse"; we are fighting for the dignity and safety of human beings.

  •  2025 was one of the deadliest years on record for ICE detention, with 30 reported deaths in custody. In just the first three weeks of 2026, 6 more people have already died, including reports of a homicide and extreme medical neglect.
  • Recent reports and videos from the ICE Baltimore Field Office show "short-term" holding rooms being used for days. Detainees have been denied basic hygiene, timely medical care, and access to legal counsel.
  • Nationally, discretionary releases have plummeted by nearly 90%. People are being held indefinitely without bond, even those with no criminal records, including longtime residents and parents of U.S. citizens.
  • When detention centers open, the "fear ripple" begins. Studies show that immigrant neighbors stop attending medical appointments, children miss school out of fear their parents won't return, and local businesses suffer as families withdraw from public life
  • This site is a warehouse, not a residential or medical facility. Turning a logistics hub into a cage for 1,500 people is inherently inhumane and creates a "warehouse-style" detention environment that lacks adequate light, ventilation, and sanitation.

OUR DEMANDS

  •  A Formal Resolution: The BOCC must pass a resolution officially opposing the facility.
  •  Zero Voluntary Cooperation: No county-funded infrastructure improvements, no marketing, and no usage of the Washington County Regional Airport for ICE flights.
  • Transparency: Public answers on how this will impact local water, sewage, and emergency response times.

CALL TO ACTION: The County Commissioners have the power to say NO to voluntary cooperation.

1.  EMAIL:

  • Demand a formal resolution against an ICE Detention Center in Washington County!
  • Demand a pledge that the Washington County Regional Airport will not be used for deportation flights.

2.  ATTEND: Show up on Tuesday, Feb 3 to let them know we stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. No public comment allowed.  Signs can be brought to the meeting room but must be no larger than 12”x24”.

Key Stats (For possible talking points):

  • 72% of people currently in ICE detention have no criminal conviction.
  • ICE is seeking to expand to 100,000+ beds in 2026; Hagerstown is a primary target.
  • The UN has recently (Jan 2026) decried the "dehumanization" and "routine abuse" of migrants in U.S. interior detention.

All 5 Commissioner seats are up for election this year.  The primary election is 6/23 and the general election is 11/3.  Make sure they know we vote on our values!

Commissioner Emails:

jbarr@washco-md.net

jcline@washco-md.net

rwagner@washco-md.net

dharvey@washco-md.net

rleatherman@washco-md.net

Email Template

Subject: URGENT: Opposition to Proposed ICE Detention Center in Williamsport

To: jbarr@washco-md.net, jcline@washco-md.net, rwagner@washco-md.net, dharvey@washco-md.net, rleatherman@washco-md.net

Members of the Board of County Commissioners,

I am writing to you as a concerned resident of Washington County to express my firm opposition to the Department of Homeland Security’s recent purchase of the warehouse at 16220 Wright Road, Williamsport, MD 21795; for the purpose of establishing an ICE detention facility.

As my elected representatives, I expect you to uphold the values of human rights, due process, and the U.S. Constitution. I stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, and I do not approve of our local officials supporting the expansion of the ICE detention center in any way.

[OPTIONAL: INSERT PERSONAL STORY OR INFORMATION HERE. For example: "As a parent in this community..." or "As a business owner in this county..."]

While the federal government has purchased this property, the Board of County Commissioners still holds significant influence over the infrastructure and cooperation that would make such a facility viable. I urge you to pass a formal resolution opposing this facility and to pledge zero voluntary cooperation, including:

  • Refusing to provide marketing or promotional support.
  • Denying any infrastructure improvements that would facilitate the conversion.
  • Ensuring the Washington County Regional Airport provides no assistance or usage for ICE-related flights.

I also request that you provide public answers to the following questions without haste:

  1. Do you individually, and as a board, support an ICE facility coming to our county?
  2. Will the BOCC commit to a formal resolution in opposition to the facility?
  3. How much tax revenue will the county lose now that this property has been sold to the federal government?
  4. What specific steps in the conversion process does the county expect or require the federal government to interact with you on?
  5. What is the county’s specific involvement in the water and sewage allocation process for this facility?
  6. Does the county have the authority to limit or stop additional water/sewage allocation for this site?
  7. Can the current water and waste pipes handle the anticipated volume of a 1,500-bed facility?
  8. If infrastructure improvements are required outside of the property line to support this facility, who is responsible for the costs?
  9. Can the wastewater treatment plant handle this increased volume without impacting other residents or future development?
  10. Will any wells drilled on-site be required to go through the County and Health Department approval process?

We are watching your actions closely. As 2026 is an election year, please be advised that your leadership, or lack thereof, on this issue will be a primary factor for many of us at the ballot box. Our community is committed to supporting candidates who prioritize human rights and local fiscal responsibility over federal detention interests. We expect our leaders to protect the character and values of Washington County by refusing to facilitate a project that contradicts our core values.

With grave concern for our county’s future,

Your Name

Your Address

Phone Script

Main Office Number: 240-313-2200

Clerk’s Office: 240-313-2204

(Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I am a resident of Washington County]. I am calling to urge the Commissioners to formally oppose the ICE detention center planned for 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport.

I am deeply concerned about the burden this facility will place on our community. Specifically, I want to know: (Sample Questions, pick all, a few, or create your own)

  • Do you individually, and as a board, support an ICE facility coming to our county?
  • Will the BOCC commit to a formal resolution in opposition to the facility?
  • How will the county be reimbursed for the extra Fire, EMS, and Police calls this facility will create?
  • Will the Commissioners pledge zero voluntary cooperation, including ensuring the Washington County Regional Airport is not used for ICE flights?
  • How much tax revenue is the county losing now that this property is federal?

We value human rights and the safety of our immigrant neighbors. I expect the Board to pass a formal resolution of opposition to an ICE Detention Center in our county.

Thank you.

Direct Lines (If you want to leave a message for a specific person): If you have time, calling each office individually is even more effective.

  • John Barr (President): 240-313-2205
  • Jeffrey Cline (Vice-President): 240-313-2208
  • Randall Wagner: 240-313-2207
  • Derek Harvey: 240-313-2206
  • Randal Leatherman: 240-313-2209

Pro-Tips for Callers:

  • Be Brief: You don’t need to be an expert. Just stating your name, your town, and that you oppose the facility is enough to be counted.
  • If you voted in the last local election, feel free to mention, "As a frequent voter in Washington County..." It reminds them who they work for.
  • Continue to follow-up until there are anwers