Hyattsville residents urge council to act on reported ICE expansion at Metro 1

Justine Hayward, a Hyattsville resident who said she represents a local resistance group, told the council she is "deeply concerned about the ICE expansion in the Metro 1 Building" at 6505 Belcrest and said neighbors fear the expansion could make it easier for federal immigration enforcement to detain local residents. "We have very little detail about what the expanded floor will actually do," Hayward said, adding that protesters gather each Friday at 5 p.m. at the Metro 1 building.

Sarah Harper, also a Ward 2 resident and member of Hyattsville Resistance, described people in the community as "afraid, angry, and disgusted by ICE's actions in Hyattsville," and said adults attending English‑as‑a‑second‑language classes at the site were avoiding the building and traveling farther for services. Harper urged the council to publish clearer information and to coordinate with Prince George's County and the state Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Marshall, a Ward 4 resident who spoke later during public comment, framed the item in fiscal terms and questioned whether city discretionary spending should be reallocated away from items such as the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department or immigrant relief funds; he also pressed for transparency about a planned city contribution to several public watch‑party events.

At the council table, Councilmember Danny Shidley asked staff to provide a status update on the reported ICE activity at 6505 Belcrest; the mayor said he would follow up with staff. No formal council action on the facility was taken at the meeting.

Background and next steps: speakers at the meeting asked staff to share more detail with council and residents and to coordinate with county and state offices. The council did not adopt a resolution or vote on the Metro 1 matter during this session; staff said they would follow up and report back to council.