Prince George’s County Moves to Block ICE Detention Centers Before They Even Arrive

Prince George’s County, Maryland, is taking no chances on becoming the next stop for ICE detention centers. Although no such facilities currently exist there, county officials are pushing two bills designed to prevent any from opening — even if ICE tries to mask them as something else.

At-large council member Jolene Ivey introduced a bill that tightens the county’s zoning code to explicitly define what counts as a detention center. The bill covers any facility used to “involuntarily confine” people ahead of legal proceedings, regardless of what the space is labeled. Crucially, it prohibits detention centers unless they are county-owned. Ivey’s move comes amid concerns that ICE might convert new office spaces in Hyattsville into detention sites, a tactic seen recently in Baltimore.

“We’ve seen it happen just in Baltimore, where they’ll have office space and suddenly that’s packed with people being detained,” Ivey said. “We want to make sure that doesn’t happen in Prince George’s County.”

Despite Ivey’s efforts, the bill has yet to be scheduled for a council vote. Council Chair Krystal Oriadha, who has publicly supported anti-ICE measures, has not placed the bill on the agenda and claims she is unaware of its details. The lack of cooperation between Ivey and Oriadha appears to be slowing progress.

Meanwhile, another council member, Wala Blegay, introduced a separate bill this week that would bar issuing building permits or certificates of occupancy for any privately owned detention facility. Blegay noted the county’s abundance of industrial spaces could be attractive to ICE or private contractors looking to establish detention centers discreetly.

“We want to close every door possible,” Blegay said, emphasizing the need to preempt any federal attempts to procure such facilities under the radar.

Prince George’s County’s proactive stance reflects a broader pushback against ICE’s expanding detention system, notorious for inhumane conditions and civil rights abuses. By tightening local laws, county leaders aim to protect their communities from becoming unwilling hosts to immigrant detention — a fight that remains urgent as ICE continues to seek new sites nationwide.