Washington County officials said they were notified on January 14, 2026, that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is evaluating the potential purchase of a warehouse in Williamsport, MD to establish a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility. According to the county, the letter outlined possible renovations and site improvements for the property, including holding and processing areas, office and visitor spaces, and supporting infrastructure such as parking, fencing, lighting, and security features.
County officials said the notification was issued under federal historic preservation law and concluded that the project would not affect historic properties, a determination the county does not have authority to overturn. Washington County stated that while it prefers land use decisions be made locally, federal law limits the county’s ability to regulate projects undertaken by the federal government, and DHS has not confirmed that a purchase of the property has occurred.
Washington County Statement on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Notice Concerning Proposed ICE Facility:
On January 14, 2026, a letter addressed to the Historic District Commission, Washington County Planning and Zoning Department was received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The letter indicated that DHS was analyzing the potential purchase of the warehouse at 10900 Hopewell Road (A/K/A 16220 Wright Road), Williamsport, MD, to establish a “new ICE Baltimore Processing Facility” for use by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Elements of the project mentioned in the letter include, “construction of holding and processing spaces, office space, public-facing visitor space and installation of amenities, such as cafeterias, bathrooms, and health care spaces”. Proposed site improvements mentioned in the letter include, but are not limited to, “installing, upgrading, or rehabilitating existing parking areas, fencing, site lighting, landscaping, drainage/stormwater, recreation areas and cameras. Tentage and guard shacks may also be installed.”
The letter was sent under a federal law that requires DHS to inform the local government of its determination on whether the project impacts historic property. In the letter, DHS communicated that the undertaking results “in a finding of No Historic Properties Affected”. The federal law in question does not give the County any opportunity to overrule that determination.
Generally, the Federal Government does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates (often referred to as the Supremacy Clause). As such, federal government entities historically have not sought the zoning approval of Washington County Government for projects and has not done so with respect to the property at 16220 Wright Road.
It is Washington County’s position that decisions about land use are best made locally. However, the legal reality when property is owned by the Federal Government is clear. Washington County is not able to legally restrict the federal government’s ability to proceed. DHS has not notified Washington County that a purchase has taken place.