Baltimore County calls emergency council session amid potential federal lease for ICE office in Hunt Valley

Emergency session scheduled after reports of a federal lease in Hunt Valley

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier has requested an emergency session of the Baltimore County Council to address concerns surrounding a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in the Hunt Valley area. The discussion follows reports that the U.S. General Services Administration has leased office space there, while county officials say they do not yet have clarity on what operations would be conducted at the site.

The council’s emergency legislative session is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, with public testimony expected. County officials have indicated the goal is to consider legislation that would establish local “guardrails” related to the reported federal lease and any associated activity.

What is known about ICE’s footprint in Maryland

ICE already maintains a Baltimore Field Office for Enforcement and Removal Operations at 31 Hopkins Plaza, and the agency’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) for Maryland is also listed at the same downtown Baltimore address. OPLA attorneys represent the government in immigration court proceedings and provide legal support for enforcement actions.

The Hunt Valley matter has drawn attention in part because residents and elected officials are trying to determine whether the leased space would be used for administrative functions, legal operations, enforcement activity, or other purposes. Federal agencies commonly use GSA leases to secure office space, but county leaders have said they lack specific information about the intended use at this time.

County executive frames response around resident safety and civil rights

In a statement released Feb. 13, Klausmeier said the presence of ICE can create fear and uncertainty for immigrant families and emphasized the county’s commitment to protecting the safety, dignity, and rights of residents. Her office has also said it is monitoring the reported federal leasing decision as details emerge.

Federal officials have not confirmed the location or operational plans for the reported Hunt Valley space. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson cited security concerns and said the department does not confirm office locations, while also pointing to national staffing increases as a driver of the need for additional space.

Regional context: local efforts to shape federal immigration-related activity

The move in Baltimore County follows closely on actions taken in neighboring Howard County, where local leaders recently advanced and approved emergency measures aimed at limiting the development of privately owned immigration detention facilities and providing operational guidance for county employees regarding immigration enforcement on county property.

Those actions have heightened regional focus on how local governments can respond when federal agencies expand their footprint—particularly when the expansion is perceived by residents as potentially affecting day-to-day community life, public services, and trust in local institutions.

Key questions likely to dominate the Feb. 17 session

• Whether the reported lease involves ICE, and if so, which ICE component would use the space.
• What authority the county has to regulate activities tied to a federally leased office location.
• How any proposed county legislation would affect property use, county operations, and public access to information.
• What mechanisms exist for ongoing public reporting and oversight as details are confirmed.

The council is expected to seek additional clarity on the lease and consider legislative steps designed to address community concerns while defining the county’s operational posture.

The Feb. 17 session will be the first formal, county-level public forum focused specifically on the Hunt Valley site, with officials expected to outline what they know, what remains unverified, and what actions the county can legally pursue.