A closed鈥慸oor roundtable discussion in Hagerstown, Maryland, drew out strong concerns Monday over the federal government鈥檚 plan to convert a warehouse near Williamsport into a large immigration processing facility.
The invite鈥憃nly meeting, which was open to media for 15 minutes, brought together Gov. Wes Moore, Rep. April McClain Delaney and other community leaders who said they鈥檝e been left without clear answers about the project.
Moore said what鈥檚 being proposed would take away economic opportunities and called out what he described as a lack of transparency from President Donald Trump’s administration.
鈥淭here are very real concerns that I have about what is being proposed,鈥� he said.
The Trump administration plans to convert a warehouse in Williamsport into a 1,500鈥慴ed mass immigration detention facility. The state’s top prosecutor has already to stop the plans.
Moore told the group the state never received a clear explanation of the project and pointed to a judge鈥檚 order that while Maryland鈥檚 lawsuit moves forward.
McClain Delaney told attendees that residents have been left without answers.
鈥淧eople are frustrated about this administration, and that it has not even done the bare minimum to communicate with the residents here,鈥� she said.
McClain Delaney that would prohibit the use of congressionally approved funds for the construction of the facility and provide a legal pathway for county residents to challenge the project’s development in court. She is also demanding access to the building for oversight.
Local leaders echo worries
Taj Smith, president of the Washington County NAACP, warned the facility would strain local resources.
“The plans for this processing center include moving through a population that is equal to our entire county’s population annually. Our water plant is already fragile and operating at maximum pressure, yet this facility could demand 100 times its current water allocation, threatening our water supply,” Smith said.
Officials also heard concerns about the potential impact on families.
Michael Lukens with the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights believes enforcement would rise if the center opens.
鈥淭hey are not going to build this warehouse and leave it empty,鈥� Lukens said. “They are going to find people to arrest and fill it.”
Washington County commissioners, meanwhile, have voted in support of bringing the facility to the area.
When speaking with the media after the roundtable, Gov. Moore was asked why some leaders who back the project were not invited to the meeting.
He said he has been in regular contact with county commissioners and said, “We know that there might be a disagreement on this issue. We understand that. And frankly, I think disagreement is natural and good when it comes to the democratic process.”
A federal judge has paused work at the site while the state鈥檚 legal challenge continues.
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