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Washington County issues statement after DHS notifies county of potential ICE processing facility in Williamsport

Washington County Board of Commissioners · February 4, 2026

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Summary

County officials said DHS notified them it was analyzing purchase of a Williamsport property for a proposed ICE Baltimore processing facility, that DHS found ‘no historic properties affected,’ and that the county has no jurisdiction to stop federally owned projects; the county invited public comment.

Washington County officials on Jan. 28 read an official county statement responding to a Jan. 14 letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that identified a potential ICE Baltimore processing facility at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport.

County Administrator Michelle Gordon told commissioners the DHS letter described plans for holding and processing spaces, office and visitor spaces, health-care and restroom facilities, and site improvements including fencing, cameras and upgraded parking. Gordon said the letter communicated a finding of “no historic properties affected.”

Gordon said the federal law that prompted the notice does not give the county authority to overrule federal determinations and that, in practice, federal entities historically have not sought Washington County zoning approval for projects on federal property. “Washington County Government has no jurisdiction to do anything,” she said, and added that the county was not involved in DHS’s property selection and had not been asked whether the project aligns with the county comprehensive plan or land-use policies.

The county asked residents with concerns to submit comments to contact@countycommissioners@washcomd.net or mail them to the Board of County Commissioners, 100 West Washington Street, Suite 1101, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The statement, released Jan. 28, explained the county’s limited legal authority over federal decisions and directed the public to the county’s contact channels.

The county attorney previously sought consensus to draft letters on state legislation, and the board held routine votes on procurement and local business during the same meeting. The county’s statement does not announce any regulatory action by the county and framed its role as informational and procedural.