ELKRIDGE, Md. — Construction can continue on an ICE detention facility in Howard County after a judge issued a preliminary injunction Monday.
This comes more than a month after Judge Adam Abelson heard arguments from Howard County and Genesis GSA Strategic One LLC, the company building the facility under a contract with the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE detention facility can keep building in Howard County
MORE COVERAGE: Decision expected "soon" on blocked ICE facility after second lengthy hearing
Howard County revoked the permits in February, but Monday's order vacates those revocations and reinstates the company's construction permits. The order also bars the county from enforcing the state law used to block the project.
The project has now been on hold for six months.
“This was a crucial first step to kind of stem the bleeding and allow the project to get back on track and to stop the losses that were incurring every day," attorney Michael Edney said.
He estimates the total cost of the pause is just under $1 million in accruing interest.
Construction crews did not appear to be on site on Tuesday following the decision, but Edney says he expects that to change any day now.
The county can appeal the injunction, though it's unclear if they plan to do so.
When asked for comment at an unrelated press conference on Tuesday, Felix Faccine, the County Executive's chief of staff, said: “The county does not comment on pending litigation.”
