Hagerstown Rapid Response and Washington County Indivisible Join ACLU-MD, NAACP Washington County, and Elected Officials Submit Public Comment Opposing Proposed ICE Detention Center

Hagerstown Rapid Response and Washington County Indivisible join elected officials and community organizations in calling on DHS to release the environmental studies behind proposed Washington County ICE detention center and extend public comment period.

As the public comment period on the proposed Washington County ICE detention center comes to a close, we are proud to stand alongside the elected officials and organizations that have joined the call for transparency and accountability.

We stand with Maryland State Delegate Matt Schindler, Hagerstown City Council Members Caroline Anderson, Erika Bell, and Tiara Burnett, the Washington County Branch of the NAACP, the ACLU of Maryland, and every organization and community member demanding answers. Today, we joined together to submit a formal comment urging DHS to release the environmental and infrastructure studies underlying its conclusions, prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement, and provide a transparent public review process that allows for meaningful public participation.

DHS claims that converting an 825,000 square foot warehouse into a massive ICE detention center capable of producing nearly 200,000 gallons of wastewater per day will have no significant environmental impact. Yet the agency has refused to release the wastewater studies, environmental assessments, infrastructure analyses, and other reports it relied upon to reach that conclusion.

The public cannot meaningfully comment on information it has not been allowed to see.

DHS should immediately release every study and assessment used in its determination and extend the public comment period so residents, elected officials, and community organizations can review the same information available to the federal government before submitting comments that could shape the future of Washington County and the surrounding region.

Please continue submitting public comments at NoKingsNoCamps.com