Sponsor
April McClain Delaney
Representative · D-MD
Representative · D-MD
The bill shifts decision-making power and legal authority to local communities to block detention facilities—protecting residents and spotlighting detainee welfare—while reducing federal detention flexibility and likely increasing relocation, logistical, and taxpayer costs.
Residents of Washington County (and nearby community members) will be protected from the establishment or expansion of federal immigrant detention facilities in their community.
Local and state governments (Washington County and Maryland) retain greater local control and can avoid the direct costs and burdens of hosting detention facilities.
Local residents, county and state officials, and Members of Congress gain an enforceable legal mechanism to seek court orders to block construction or operation of detention facilities.
Federal immigration authorities (DHS/ICE) will have reduced ability to detain or house migrants in Washington County, which may constrain enforcement capacity or complicate emergency operations.
Noncitizens who would otherwise be detained in Washington County may be transferred farther from family, legal counsel, and community supports, reducing access to services and effective representation.
Taxpayers and DHS/ICE could face higher administrative and logistical costs (e.g., using more distant facilities, private contractors, or legal settlements) if detentions must be arranged elsewhere.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits DHS/ICE from establishing, operating, expanding, or reopening immigration detention/holding facilities in Washington County, MD, and bars federal funds for those purposes.
Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (including ICE) from establishing, operating, expanding, or reopening any immigration detention or holding facility in Washington County, Maryland, and bars use of federal funds for those purposes. It lets any Washington County resident, the county government, any Member of Congress, or the State of Maryland sue in federal court to stop violations and defines covered agencies and facilities for enforcement.
Official title: To prohibit the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, from establishing or operating an immigration detention or holding facility in Washington County, Maryland, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 10, 2026 by April McClain Delaney · Last progress February 10, 2026