Maryland sues federal government over detention plan

(The Center Square) – Maryland is suing the federal government over a planned immigration detention facility in Washington County, saying the project advanced without the environmental review required under federal law.

The complaint challenges the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the government’s purchase of a large warehouse property outside Williamsport. State officials say the site is intended for conversion into a detention facility designed to hold up to 1,500 people.

According to the lawsuit, Homeland Security – ICE is its principal criminal investigating agency – acquired the property earlier this year for more than $100 million. The warehouse contains more than 800,000 square feet and was originally built for commercial logistics operations.

The state says the purchase and planned redevelopment should have triggered review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. The complaint says federal agencies failed to conduct an e...