Community Voices: 'I Don't Feel Protected. I Feel Exposed.'
A Washington County resident speaks out on the proposed Williamsport detention facility
Project Salt Box has been tracking ICE warehouse acquisitions across the United States since the passage of the OBBBA, with particular attention to developments in Washington County, Maryland. As part of our ongoing coverage of the proposed Williamsport detention facility, we asked readers in the area to share their perspectives. This is the first letter we received.
Nicole B. grew up in Washington County. She owned a business there until she retired a few years ago, supports local charities with time and money, and has no plans to leave.
But she is disappointed — “beyond disappointed,” she wrote — in what is happening with her local government.
Here is what she told us:
I grew up in Washington County, and until I retired a few years ago, I owned a business here. I support local charities with time and money, and I don’t plan to leave the area.
I’m beyond disappointed in what’s going on with our local government, regarding bringing an immigrant detention center to our community. I look to my county commissioners and representatives in the state house to protect and respect its citizens. I feel neither protected nor respected.
If our local government wants to protect us, they wouldn’t jump at the chance to add another criminal detention center to our community. I don’t share the contention that all our immigrants are criminals and deserve to be detained and deported. But, if the presumption is that all these folks being yanked off the streets are dangerous criminals, then what the heck is wrong with Washington County officials, wanting to bring them here?
So, I don’t feel protected from danger, I feel exposed; and I sure don’t feel respected...I’ve reached out to the county commissioners. I sent a personalized email expressing my concerns to all the commissioners. Not a single commissioner, not any representative from the county has acknowledged my email. Nothing. Total disrespect.
Now I learn that rules weren’t followed during the procurement of this warehouse property. Historic preservation guidelines were deliberately skirted. Seems there’s plenty of disrespect to go around.
I object to what’s going on, and would like to know what I can do to prevent this facility from being developed as a detention center for immigrants. Thank you.
Nicole B.
TAKE ACTION: Submit Testimony for HB 630
Nicole asked what she can do. Many of you have written to us asking the same.
On February 18th, the Maryland Assembly will hear testimony for HB 630 — a bill that would prohibit the operation of immigration detention facilities in buildings that weren’t originally designed and constructed for detaining individuals. This directly addresses what’s happening in Williamsport.
The public comment window opens February 16 and closes February 17, so add a reminder on your calendar. Maryland residents can submit written or video testimony through the MyMGA website.
Use this opportunity to tell Maryland state delegates to support HB630.
The process is easy, and involves registering for a MyMGA account, signing up as a “witness,” writing your testimony, and uploading it as a PDF.
Detailed step-by-step instructions are available at https://mdlegislative.com/legislation/submit-testimony.
The comment window is only open briefly, so please use the next week to write your testimony so that it is ready to upload when comments open on the 16th.
Contact Project Salt Box
If you’re a Maryland resident — and especially if you live in Washington County — share your story and your support for this bill. Your voice matters. Use it. And encourage everyone you know to do the same.
Do you live near the proposed Williamsport detention site? Have you witnessed immigration enforcement activity in Washington County? Are you a contractor, local official or business owner with information about the warehouse procurement process?
Project Salt Box wants to hear from you. We’re also interested in stories about ICE facility expansions in other communities, tips about federal contracting irregularities, and questions about House Bill 630 or the testimony process.