Overview
- Genesis GSA Strategic One filed a federal complaint naming the county, County Executive Calvin Ball, council members, and permitting officials, alleging violations of the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy and contract clauses.
- The lawsuit asks the court to block Howard County’s emergency ban on private immigration detention centers, order permits reissued, and award compensatory damages.
- The company says the Elkridge project was more than 90% complete and had cost about $21.7 million when the county revoked permits on Feb. 2.
- County leaders enacted an emergency law restricting private detention facilities and cited health, safety and oversight concerns, while declining to comment on pending litigation.
- ICE told local media it has no plans to open a detention center in Howard County, and the suit describes the site as primarily offices with a small detainee processing area.