Hundreds gathered outside the Baltimore field office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today to protest the agency’s operations, demanding their complete termination. Demonstrators voiced concerns over what advocates describe as deplorable conditions within the facility, where people are currently being detained.
Protestors Demand an End to ICE
A speaker addressing the crowd at 31 Hopkins Plaza, outside the George H. Fallon Federal Building, stated, “We all feel the urgency of this moment. ICE’s reign of terror on neighborhoods across the country has been more blatant than ever.” He continued, asserting that ICE is “kidnapping our neighbors” and “racially profiling” community members. Protesters responded with chants of “Shame!”
The protest drew attention to recent incidents of violence involving ICE agents, with signs displaying the images of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. The death of Tiago Sousa-Martins, a Portuguese immigrant shot by ICE agents in Glen Burnie on Christmas Eve, was also remembered.
Demonstrators marched along Lombard Street and up Charles Street, chanting “ICE out of Baltimore!” Signs carried a range of messages, from “Abolish ICE” and “ICE is better when crushed” to expressions of faith and solidarity, including a sign quoting Matthew 25:35: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Concerns Grow Over Detention Facilities
Advocacy groups filed a lawsuit last May alleging inhumane conditions at the Baltimore ICE field office and other facilities nationwide. According to The Washington Post, lawyers and advocates report a lack of beds, showers, hygiene products, medical care, and adequate food for detainees held beyond the permitted 72-hour limit.
A recently circulated video appearing to show approximately three dozen men huddled on the floor under metallic blankets within the Baltimore facility has amplified these concerns. Homeland Security officials attributed the overcrowding to difficulties in transferring detainees due to the recent snowstorm.
Adding to the urgency, organizers pointed to the Department of Homeland Security’s recent purchase of an 825,000-square-foot warehouse near Hagerstown, potentially for use as a new immigration detention facility. Despite local protests, Washington County officials have stated they are legally unable to prevent the federal government from converting the property.
Some protesters expressed a renewed sense of urgency following reports of federal agents’ actions toward observers and protesters in Minneapolis, leading individuals to attend the Baltimore demonstration with friends for safety. One participant stated, “It’s one thing to just sit at home and read all this news and be upset, but it’s another to actually take action and use your energy for good.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the protest in Baltimore?
The protest was prompted by concerns over conditions at the Baltimore ICE field office, recent incidents of violence involving ICE agents in other cities, and the potential construction of a new detention facility near Hagerstown.
What specific conditions are advocates citing at the Baltimore ICE facility?
Advocates allege that the Baltimore ICE holding cells lack beds and showers, and that detainees are often held for longer than the permitted 72-hour limit without adequate hygiene products, medical care, or food.
What is the status of the proposed detention facility in Hagerstown?
The Department of Homeland Security has purchased a large warehouse near Hagerstown that is being considered for use as an immigration detention facility. Despite local protests, Washington County officials have stated they cannot legally prevent the conversion of the property.
What role do you think public demonstrations play in shaping immigration policy?
