WASHINGTON – Federal immigration controversies have become personal for voters in Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District as residents grapple with plans to build a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Elkridge.
This facility, which will include temporary holding cells, a detainee shower and office space for Department of Homeland Security employees, sparked a legal battle and a debate throughout Howard County for months. It is now a central issue in congressional campaigns.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-Md. has been stressing the importance of checking and balancing federal immigration policies and enforcement.
But Berney Flowers, the Republican candidate in Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District, told Capital News Service that Elkridge residents will not notice or be affected by a new government facility, and they should not get involved.
“We should not really interfere with the federal government and what they’re trying to do,” Flowers said. “There’s a reason that they wanted to put that here, and the idea of regular folks, civilians getting involved in what the federal government does on their behalf doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”
Genesis GSA Strategic One purchased the property in 2023 to renovate the building for ICE’s use and received permits from the county in 2025. After completing over 90% of the renovations, Howard County revoked the permits in February 2026, enacting emergency legislation prohibiting the permitting of privately owned buildings operating as detention centers.
Genesis sued, and a U.S. district court ruled against the county in August, allowing construction to resume and eliciting varied responses from Maryland residents.
Ninfa Amador-Hernandez, the policy manager for Casa in Action, an organization dedicated to electing candidates who serve Black, Latine, Afro-descendant, immigrant and working-class communities, said this is an issue that affects all Maryland voters, not just immigrants.
These facilities lead to a decline in the community’s property values and an increase in air pollution, Amador-Hernandez said. As midterm elections approach, Amador-Hernandez said legislators should be partnering with affected communities.
“We would look to them to be a strong voice in opposition of these such suggestions from the federal government,” Amador-Hernandez told CNS. “Secondly, we look to them to use every tool in their toolbox as legislators to stop this and to find ways to support the communities that are being impacted by this.”
Brad Botwin, the director of HelpSaveMaryland.org, an organization looking at the financial, economic, social and educational impacts of illegal immigration within Maryland, said that local jurisdictions should not decide federal issues. He said these facilities need places to go.
“This is not a prison for the most wanted in America, but these are just people that refuse to return home,” Botwin told CNS.
While construction of the facility in Elkridge has resumed and congressional campaigns are in full swing, Elfreth has joined members of the Maryland delegation in writing a letter requesting an investigation into ICE operations in Frederick.
“ICE has a duty to enforce our immigration laws safely and humanely,” the letter reads. “Yet, ICE’s operations clearly continue to create chaos and instill fear in our communities.”
This story was originally published by Capital News Service, cnsmaryland.org. Reprinted without changes.