Governor Moore Statement on Court Ruling on Proposed ICE Facility in Washington County

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Moore released the following statement after a federal court granted a preliminary injunction halting construction of a proposed ICE detention facility in Washington County:

“This preliminary injunction is a major and welcome step forward. Construction on this proposed facility remains halted pending litigation, which is critical to protecting the community’s environment, public safety, health, and long-term economic stability. Today’s ruling shows that no one is above the law.

“We have been clear from the start: this project raises grave concerns for Washington County — from environmental damage, to water and sewer capacity, to emergency services, to the loss of economic opportunity, to the broader lack of transparency around this process. Today’s ruling makes clear that those concerns deserve to be fully heard before irreversible construction moves ahead.

“My administration will keep working with Attorney General Brown, local leaders, and Maryland’s federal congressional delegation to ensure full compliance with the law and to protect the well-being of Marylanders.”