Baltimore Moves to Ban Private Detention Centers Amid Growing Resistance to ICE Expansion

Baltimore City is on the verge of taking a firm stand against private detention centers, advancing legislation that would ban these facilities outright. The move comes as ICE faces mounting resistance across Maryland, with local governments pushing back against attempts to open or expand detention sites.

On Thursday, a city council committee voted out the bill after a packed hearing where every single speaker voiced support for the ban. “There is literally no one signed up to testify in opposition to this thing, so we’re all on the same side of things,” said Councilman Ryan Dorsey, reflecting the rare unanimity on this issue.

The legislation would add private detention centers to Baltimore’s zoning code “Prohibited uses” list, effectively blocking any future attempts to establish or operate such facilities in the city. Currently, Baltimore has no private detention centers, and the bill’s sponsors want to keep it that way. Council President Zeke Cohen put it plainly: “Baltimore should not monetize misery.”

The bill’s momentum follows similar actions by neighboring jurisdictions alarmed by ICE’s moves. Howard County passed legislation to guide ICE operations after rumors surfaced about a new detention site in Elkridge, while Baltimore County held an emergency session and passed measures to prevent an ICE office in Hunt Valley.

Activists and community members flooded the hearing to urge swift action. Crisaly De Los Santos, director of We Are CASA’s Central Maryland and Baltimore branch, praised the council’s leadership: “The council has really stepped up to meet the moment.”

The bill’s introduction came after a visit by five members of Maryland’s Congressional delegation to Baltimore’s ICE office and holding facility earlier this month, underscoring the federal agency’s controversial local presence.

Baltimore’s Planning Commission supports the measure, noting it “allows the public to exercise oversight and accountability in the operation of such spaces.” However, the city’s Law Department cautioned that similar bans elsewhere have faced federal constitutional challenges, and a state law with overlapping provisions already exists. Still, the city is moving forward with its own tailored approach.

This legislation is a critical step in pushing back against the expanding for-profit detention industry that thrives on incarceration rather than rehabilitation. Baltimore’s efforts reflect a growing recognition that private detention centers perpetuate human rights abuses and undermine community safety.

As the bill advances toward a full council vote, Baltimoreans and advocates nationwide will be watching closely. The question is not just whether Baltimore will ban private detention centers, but whether more cities will follow suit in resisting the federal government’s detention apparatus and the profiteers behind it.