Wes Moore warns Noem 'federal occupation' of new ICE compound now under state investigation

Moore described DHS' status at the property, sandwiched between the city of Hagerstown and the Potomac River on the West Virginia border, as a "federal occupation" of a space that was originally zoned as a commercial site.

The site stands near the confluence of Interstates 70 and 81, and Moore said it uses up precious space in an area key to the 4,000-job "manufacturing, logistics and distribution" sector across the region.

"I am directing state agency heads to assess all available actions to protect the community's infrastructure, public safety, health and long-term economic stability, including review of permitting requirements; water and sewer demands; hazardous waste disposal; and the availability of emergency medical services, among other considerations."

"We urge the administration to move past unilateral actions and join us in a transparent and collaborative effort to enhance the safety and well-being of Marylanders."

In recent comments to Fox News Digital, former GOP state Del. Neil Parrott, who long represented the area where the ICE site sits, countered that it was Maryland Democrats' posture toward the Trump administration that squandered the opportunity to get FEMA funds for his area.

To the south, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., echoed some of Moore's concerns this week, saying in a statement that he spoke directly with Noem about concerns over a proposed ICE facility near the border with Tennessee.

"I relayed to her the opposition of local elected and zoning officials as well as economic development concerns. I appreciate her for agreeing to look elsewhere," Wicker said of the planned transformation of a Byhalia, Mississippi, warehouse, which he said he "strongly oppose[s]."

"I am all for immigration enforcement, but this site was meant for economic development and job creation. We cannot suddenly flood Byhalia with an influx of up to 10,000 detainees."

Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for comment.