Judge orders pause on construction of ICE migrant detention center in Maryland

"The State has shown that Defendants likely failed to comply with their obligations under (the National Environmental Policy Act)... the defendants do not appear to have taken a hard look' at the potential environmental consequences of their plans for the Williamsport Warehouse."

"The measure suspends for up to 14 days construction work to convert a huge warehouse in Williamsport, Washington County, into a facility capable of housing up to 1,500 people, while the court evaluates a lawsuit filed by the state against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE for alleged violations of environmental laws."

"Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown had requested the emergency pause on the grounds that the federal government moved forward with the project without conducting the required environmental review or allowing public comment."

A federal judge has temporarily halted construction of a planned ICE detention center in Williamsport, Maryland. The facility was designed to convert an 800,000-square-foot warehouse into a detention center capable of housing 1,500 people. Maryland's Attorney General requested the emergency pause, arguing the federal government failed to conduct required environmental reviews or allow public comment. Judge Brendan Hurson concluded the state demonstrated that federal agencies likely violated the National Environmental Policy Act and failed to adequately examine potential environmental consequences. The federal government purchased the property in January for over $100 million. The temporary restraining order suspends construction for up to 14 days while the court evaluates Maryland's lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

Read at english.elpais.com