As federal authorities finalize the purchase of an 825,000-square-foot site for an immigration center, local leaders concede that county law stops at the property line.
While federal law may limit zoning authority, Washington County is not powerless and should not present this issue as settled. The County still has a responsibility to actively oppose projects that are harmful to residents.
This proposed ICE detention and processing facility will impact community safety, local infrastructure, emergency services, public health resources, and quality of life. The County can and should formally object, demand full environmental and community impact reviews, engage state and federal representatives, and publicly advocate against this facility.
Saying “we can’t stop it” is not the same as doing everything possible to protect residents. Washington County should be fighting this — not standing aside.
Any information on which companies have been awarded contracts for building out and running this facility? Assume a private for profit company. Strong incentives being created to avoid speedy and humane “processing”. Would also be interested to know more details about who sold the warehouse originally. Everyone making money in this travesty should be held to account.
Thank you for all your work on this, Michael, you and the rest of the Salt Box crew. I'm sure your names will appear (if they haven't already) on this criminal administration's watch lists.
Honestly, I feel so demoralized. Everything is falling apart. ICE thugs are getting more violent and more sadistic, Trump is selling off the US to the highest bidders, the law is being subverted at every turn, both the Dems and the Repubs are shitting all over women and girls in different ways (whole nother subject), and it just goes on and on and on and on. I won't stop fighting, but it's getting awfully hard to feel hopeful.
While federal law may limit zoning authority, Washington County is not powerless and should not present this issue as settled. The County still has a responsibility to actively oppose projects that are harmful to residents.
This proposed ICE detention and processing facility will impact community safety, local infrastructure, emergency services, public health resources, and quality of life. The County can and should formally object, demand full environmental and community impact reviews, engage state and federal representatives, and publicly advocate against this facility.
Saying “we can’t stop it” is not the same as doing everything possible to protect residents. Washington County should be fighting this — not standing aside.
Any information on which companies have been awarded contracts for building out and running this facility? Assume a private for profit company. Strong incentives being created to avoid speedy and humane “processing”. Would also be interested to know more details about who sold the warehouse originally. Everyone making money in this travesty should be held to account.
Adding: I did a deep dive on the original fit-out contract here, which has since been canceled: https://projectsaltbox.substack.com/p/ice-now-owns-a-hagerstown-warehouse
Hi Catherine — we're keeping a close watch on the spending websites to see if a replacement contract comes up.
Another member of our time is pulling the thread on FRIND-Hopewell and their connection to RSE Capital and Fundrise, the companies behind the sale.
Thank you for all your work on this, Michael, you and the rest of the Salt Box crew. I'm sure your names will appear (if they haven't already) on this criminal administration's watch lists.
Honestly, I feel so demoralized. Everything is falling apart. ICE thugs are getting more violent and more sadistic, Trump is selling off the US to the highest bidders, the law is being subverted at every turn, both the Dems and the Repubs are shitting all over women and girls in different ways (whole nother subject), and it just goes on and on and on and on. I won't stop fighting, but it's getting awfully hard to feel hopeful.
It seems apparent that Wash. Co. is doing as little as possible, down to copying a statement (less any objection) and possibly welcomes the concept.