Federal Judge Reinstates Building Permits for Elkridge ICE Facility
The ruling reinstates permits after county leaders revoked them, and the facility is more than 90% complete, according to residents.
- On Monday, U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson granted a preliminary injunction reinstating building permits for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Elkridge, allowing developer Genesis GSA Strategic One to resume construction immediately.
- Howard County officials revoked the permits in February 2026, citing a state statute requiring a 180-day public comment period, but Genesis sued in March, arguing the county lacked authority to block federal operations.
- The developer has invested about $21 million in the project, designed primarily as office space for the Department of Homeland Security , with about 1,100 square feet allocated for temporary holding cells and a detainee shower.
- Attorney Michael Edney stated the company is "grateful for the court's decision," while State Sen. Clarence Lam called the ruling "disheartening news" and pledged to pursue further legal options.
- Judge Abelson based his decision on the discrimination-based intergovernmental immunity doctrine, determining federal law supersedes local regulations and allowing construction to resume at 6522 Meadowridge Road.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Federal judge clears way for ICE facility construction in Elkridge
A federal judge on Tuesday cleared the way for work to resume on a planned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Elkridge. | COURT DOCUMENTS: Judge’s Opinion | Injunction Order U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson granted developer Genesis a preliminary injunction, finding it is likely to prove the county violated the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. Howard County revoked the construction permits when the project was nearly finished, …
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Maryland MattersFederal judge says proposed immigration facility in Howard County can move forward, for now
Howard County residents vowed to fight a federal immigration facility planned for an Elkridge office building, one day after a federal judge ordered the county could no longer block work on the project. “The residents of Howard County have made it clear that we do not want this facility in our community,” Liz Kato with IndivisibleHoCoMD said in a written statement Tuesday. “We will continue to work with our elected officials and other local comm…
Federal judge reinstates permits to finish work on proposed ICE facility in Howard County
A federal judge has reinstated permits allowing work to resume on a controversial immigration facility in Howard County that has been tied up in a legal battle for months.
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