Southeast DC Under Attack
Stop ICE HQ Now
No deportation command center in the heart of our community
The federal government is building a $524 million ICE headquarters in Congress Heights — without a single vote from DC residents. Oye Owolewa is leading the fight to stop it.
"I demand that DHS, the federal government, and Clark Construction immediately halt the construction of a new ICE headquarters in Southeast DC — a community that never voted for this and deserves better."
Events
WHAT'S HAPPENING
This Isn't Just a Building. It's a Command Center.'
The Largest Federal Construction Project Since the Pentagon
The Department of Homeland Security is consolidating its headquarters at St. Elizabeths West Campus in Congress Heights, Southeast Washington, DC — a 176-acre National Historic Landmark on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. The current construction phase centers on two major new buildings: a 570,000-square-foot Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) headquarters (Building 3) and a 630,000-square-foot Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) headquarters (Building 1). Both are being built by Clark Construction under a $524 million contract. When the full campus is complete, it will consolidate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from 40 scattered locations to just six, housing more than 14,000 federal employees in a single fortified complex.
The overall consolidation effort has consumed more than $3.2 billion in congressional appropriations over 13+ years — described by Federal News Network as "the most ambitious federal building project since the Pentagon." Over $2.7 billion had already been invested before the current construction phase began.
Climate Money. Deportation Infrastructure. No Vote.
The federal government is spending $288 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding — money sold to the American public as a climate and community investment — to build the physical headquarters for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the heart of Southeast DC. That breaks down to $80.8 million for the ICE and CBP headquarters, $140.8 million for CISA, and $67 million for a new parking garage and gatehouse. This is the same pot of money that was supposed to fund green buildings, good jobs, and community investment. Instead, it is paying for the command centerof the largest detention and deportation operation in American history — in a historically Black neighborhood that has been asking for schools, healthcare, food access, and affordable housing for decades.
And here is what makes it worse: the Department of Homeland Security's own environmental review found that doing nothing was the better option for the natural and cultural resources of this community. Their own experts said building this would cause more ground disturbance, destroy more trees, and demolish more historic structures than any other alternative. DHS chose the maximum build-out anyway — signed off by a single unelected federal official in July 2022, with no vote from DC residents, no congressional representation, and no meaningful recourse for the people who live here.
What ICE Does — Nationally and in Our Neighborhoods
The building being constructed in Congress Heights is not an abstract bureaucratic office. It is the command infrastructure for an enforcement machine that is already operating in DC streets — and growing rapidly. As of August 2025, ICE is holding 61,226 people in detention nationwide — an all-time record. Trump has allocated $45 billion for detention and $30 billion more for enforcement, offset by nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons has described the goal of the deportation system as "Amazon Prime, but with human beings."
To feed that system, billions of dollars and thousands of federal agents have been pulled away from white collar crime investigations, child exploitation cases, and violent criminals — and redirected to immigration enforcement. Here in DC, the impact is already visible: over 1,400 people have been arrested on immigration violations since Trump's August 2025 federal surge, ICE has made arrests outside DC schools during arrival and dismissal, and Metropolitan Police Department officers have been documented handing people directly to masked federal agents — in violation of DC's own sanctuary laws. Mayor Bowser, under threat of losing $1 billion in federal funding, has proposed repealing DC's Sanctuary Values Act entirely. The new headquarters at St. Elizabeths will make all of this permanent — placing the nerve center of that operation in the community it is already targeting.
Who Is Building It — And Who Is Responsible
The $524 million construction contract was awarded to Clark Construction, a Bethesda, Maryland company that is one of the largest general contractors in the Washington region. Clark is not new to this campus — the company previously built the $435 million U.S. Coast Guard headquarters at St. Elizabeths, and Clark Group CEO Joe Hogan publicly praised the ICE and CISA project when the contract was awarded. The buildings were designed by ZGF Architects, with landscape architecture by Olin Studio Environmental, and engineering assessments were handled by AECOM — hired by the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal agency overseeing the project.
Our Demands
To the Federal Government: Halt all construction of ICE headquarters infrastructure at St. Elizabeths West Campus and redirect federal investment in Southeast DC toward housing, healthcare, schools, food access, and good jobs — the things this community has actually been asking for.
To the Department of Homeland Security: Stop the expansion of ICE enforcement infrastructure in Washington, DC, respect the findings of your own environmental and engineering experts, and engage in genuine, transparent public dialogue with the residents of Congress Heights before taking any further action on this campus.
To Clark Construction: Withdraw immediately from this project and all ICE-related construction contracts in Washington, DC. You chose to take this contract. You can choose to walk away. Companies in Virginia, Texas, and Kansas City have already done it. Southeast DC is asking you directly: stop building.
To the DC Council and Mayor's Office: Defend DC's Sanctuary Values Act, end Metropolitan Police Department cooperation with ICE, and use every available legal and legislative tool to protect District residents from federal immigration enforcement — regardless of federal funding threats.
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2004 — Federal Planning Begins at St. Elizabeths GSA initiates the master planning process for DHS headquarters consolidation at the 176-acre St. Elizabeths West Campus in Congress Heights, Southeast DC. At this point, DHS is scattered across more than 40 locations in the National Capital Region. DC residents have no vote in Congress and no meaningful role in the planning process.
2008 — First Environmental Impact Statement Completed GSA completes the initial Environmental Impact Statement and issues a Record of Decision selecting a 4.5 million square foot campus consolidation. The West Campus is already a designated National Historic Landmark.
2012 — Master Plan Amendment Adds FEMA East Campus GSA issues a second EIS covering FEMA headquarters on the East Campus. DC has no Senate vote and no voting House Delegate — federal agencies make every decision unilaterally.
2018 — ICE & CISA Added; East Campus Development Dropped CISA is formally established by Congress and added to the St. Elizabeths housing plan. ICE headquarters is confirmed for the campus. East Campus development is abandoned, and all construction is refocused on the West Campus. The campus footprint grows significantly.
2020 — Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement DHS's own environmental review — the Master Plan Amendment 2 SEIS — finds that the No Action alternative is the environmentally preferable choice for natural and cultural resources. It would mean less ground disturbance, fewer trees impacted, and more historic resources preserved. DHS chooses the maximum build-out anyway.
July 13, 2022 — One Signature. No Vote. Maximum Build-Out Approved. A single DHS official — Dr. Teresa Pohlman, Executive Director of Sustainability and Environmental Programs — signs the Record of Decision selecting Alternative B, the largest possible campus footprint. No DC community vote. No congressional representation. No recourse for residents.
August 2023 — $288 Million in IRA Funding Announced The Biden administration announces $288 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding for the St. Elizabeths campus: $140.8M for CISA headquarters, $80.8M for ICE headquarters, and $67M for a new parking garage and gatehouse. The project is marketed as a model of federal sustainability and green investment.
August 16, 2024 — Clark Construction Wins $524 Million Contract Clark Construction — based in Bethesda, Maryland — is awarded the CISA headquarters contract, GSA's largest single IRA project investment to date. Clark previously built the $435M Coast Guard headquarters on this same campus. Construction begins fall 2024 and is actively underway today.
August 2025 — Trump Declares DC Crime Emergency; Federal Surge Begins President Trump declares a crime emergency in DC, flooding the city with federal law enforcement — many focused on immigration enforcement. MPD is ordered to cooperate with ICE. Over 1,400 DC residents are arrested on immigration violations. ICE arrests are documented outside DC schools during arrival and dismissal.
September–October 2025 — MPD-ICE Collaboration Exposed Despite Mayor Bowser declaring the emergency over on September 10, the Washington Post documents at least six incidents of MPD patrolling alongside masked HSI and CBP agents. Bowser initially denies it, then admits it when shown video evidence. DC Councilmember Brianne Nadeau holds a four-hour public hearing — more than 50 residents testify.
December 2025 — Emergency Demolition Order for Historic Buildings DHS Secretary Kristi Noem invokes an emergency declaration to demolish 13 historic buildings on the St. Elizabeths campus, bypassing normal historic preservation review. GSA's own hired engineering firm (AECOM) had assessed the same buildings just months earlier and found them "generally in stable condition" and "viable for stabilization and future adaptive reuse." The National Trust for Historic Preservation and DC Preservation League formally oppose — and receive no response.
March 14, 2026 — Southeast DC Fights Back Oye Owolewa leads 30+ Southeast DC residents in a press conference and march along MLK Avenue to the DHS facility entrance at St. Elizabeths. Demonstrators carry signs and demand the federal government halt the project and engage with the community. The Stop ICE HQ campaign launches.
April 14, 2026 — We Take It to Clark Construction Coalition protest at Clark Construction's DC office. 1200 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 510. Tuesday, April 14 · 5:00–6:30 PM. Demand: Clark must immediately withdraw from all ICE-related construction in Washington, DC. Join us.
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Top 10 Facts: Stop ICE HQ at St. Elizabeths
Fact 1 — What Is Being Built The federal government is constructing two major new buildings at St. Elizabeths West Campus in Congress Heights, Southeast DC: a 570,000-square-foot Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) headquarters and a 630,000-square-foot Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) headquarters. When complete, the campus will house more than 14,000 Department of Homeland Security employees on 176 acres — a National Historic Landmark along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE. Construction is actively underway today.
Fact 2 — The Total Cost The DHS campus consolidation at St. Elizabeths has consumed more than $3.2 billion in congressional appropriations over 13+ years — described by Federal News Network as "the most ambitious federal building project since the Pentagon." Over $2.7 billion had already been invested before the current construction phase began. Clark Construction, a Bethesda, Maryland company, holds the current $524 million contract for the CISA and ICE/CBP buildings.
Fact 3 — Climate Money Is Paying for Deportation Infrastructure The federal government used $288 million in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding — marketed to the public as climate and green building investment — to fund this project. The breakdown: $115.8 million included in the Clark Construction CISA contract, $80.8 million for the ICE/CBP headquarters, and $67 million for a new parking garage and gatehouse. This was the largest single IRA project investment in GSA history at the time of award.
Fact 4 — Five Presidents, No DC Vote This project was initiated under President George W. Bush in 2004 and continued under Presidents Obama, Trump, Biden, and Trump again. The project spanned five presidential administrations over 20 years — with each continuing rather than canceling the consolidation. At no point did DC residents have a meaningful vote. DC has no Senate representation and its House Delegate cannot vote on legislation. The final decision to proceed with the maximum build-out was signed by a single unelected DHS official on July 13, 2022.
Fact 5 — DHS Overrode Its Own Environmental Experts DHS's own 2020 environmental review found that the "No Action Alternative is the environmentally preferable alternative for natural and cultural resources." That means doing nothing was better for the land, the trees, and the historic character of the community. DHS chose the maximum build-out anyway — disturbing 8 acres of the campus plateau and demolishing multiple historic buildings. The decision was made without a DC vote and without community consent.
Fact 6 — DHS Overrode Its Own Engineering Experts In December 2025, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem declared an emergency to demolish 13 historic buildings on the campus — bypassing the normal historic preservation review process. But GSA's own hired engineering firm, AECOM, had assessed those same buildings just months earlier and found them "generally in stable condition" and "viable for stabilization and future adaptive reuse." Nine of the 13 had only minor or moderate structural defects. The National Trust for Historic Preservation and DC Preservation League formally opposed the demolition and received no response.
Fact 7 — Who Is Building It and What They Chose Clark Construction — headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland — won the $524 million contract. Clark previously built the $435 million Coast Guard headquarters on this same campus. Clark Group CEO Joe Hogan publicly praised the ICE and CISA project when the contract was awarded. ZGF Architects and Olin Studio are the design firms. Clark made a deliberate business decision to take this contract. Companies in Virginia, Texas, and Kansas City have walked away from ICE contracts under community pressure. Clark can too.
Fact 8 — What ICE Does and Who Is Dying ICE is holding over 68,000 people in detention as of February 2026 — a 70% increase from the 39,000 held at the end of the Biden administration. Since Trump's second term began, 46 people have died in ICE custody as of March 18, 2026. Deaths in 2025 alone — 33 — exceeded the highest annual total in over two decades. Six of those who died had no criminal charges. Thirty-two died from worsening medical conditions while in custody. At least one death ICE reported as a suicide was independently ruled a homicide by a county medical examiner. Billions of dollars and thousands of federal agents have been redirected away from white collar crime, child exploitation, and violent criminal investigations to feed this system.
Fact 9 — What ICE Is Already Doing in DC Over 1,400 people had been arrested on immigration violations in DC by October 2025 — a number that has continued to grow. ICE has made arrests outside DC schools during arrival and dismissal. Metropolitan Police Department officers have been documented handing people directly to masked federal agents in violation of DC's own sanctuary laws. Mayor Bowser, under threat of losing $1 billion in federal funding, removed DC's sanctuary city webpage in March 2025 and proposed repealing DC's Sanctuary Values Act entirely in May 2025. Nationally, 121 pregnant, postpartum, or nursing individuals are in ICE detention, children are being held with inadequate medical care, and ICE's medical contractor payments lapsed in October 2025 — leaving detainees without reliable healthcare access.
Fact 10 — What Southeast DC Deserves Instead Congress Heights is a historically Black community that has faced decades of federal neglect and underinvestment. The same federal government spending $3.2 billion to build an enforcement compound has not delivered the housing, healthcare, schools, food access, and good jobs that residents have been demanding for generations. Public funds and public land are being used to expand the infrastructure of deportation in a community that never voted for it and has no congressional representation to fight back. Southeast DC deserves better.
Sources: GSA Press Release (Aug. 2024) · Federal News Network (Aug. 2023) · DHS Record of Decision (Jul. 2022) · GSA Final Supplemental EIS (Aug. 2020) · Washington Post (Jan. 2026) · ENR (Aug. 2024) · Vera Institute (Oct. 2025, Mar. 2026) · Reuters (Mar. 2025) · The 51st (Oct. 2025) · KFF (Mar. 2026) · Axios DC (May 2025) -
March 27, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 27, 2026
Coalition to Demand Clark Construction End Role in Building New ICE HQ, Demand Withdrawal from Project
Washington, DC — Rep. Oye Owolewa and a coalition of community organizations, advocates, and residents will protest outside Clark Construction's DC office on Tuesday, April 14, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at 1200 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 510. The coalition's demands are clear: Clark Construction must immediately withdraw from any ICE-related projects in Washington, DC.
"Clark Construction is making a deliberate choice to profit from the expansion of ICE," Owolewa said. "This is not neutral work. Building cages, offices, and enforcement infrastructure for ICE has real human consequences—and Clark is choosing to be part of that."
The action will feature speakers, poets, chanting, and public education, as protesters engage passersby and call attention to the private companies that profit from immigration enforcement.
Organizers say this protest is the beginning of a broader pressure campaign that will continue to escalate until Clark responds.
"We are prepared to keep showing up," Owolewa continued. "Clark's reputation, partnerships, and public standing are all on the line." There is almost unanimous local opposition to ICE's activities in the district.
Media Contact: Verdell A. Wright · 202-302-8866 · verdell@vote4oye.com
March 15, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 15, 2026
Follow-Up: Over 30 Southeast DC Residents March with Oye Owolewa to Demand Halt to ICE Expansion at St. Elizabeths
Washington, DC — Over 30 Southeast DC residents joined Rep. Oye Owolewa and community advocates Saturday afternoon for a press conference and march opposing the planned $524 million expansion of the Department of Homeland Security campus at St. Elizabeths West.
Participants gathered outside Excel Public Charter School before marching along MLK Avenue toward the entrance of the DHS facility near the RISE Demonstration Center. Demonstrators carried signs opposing the expansion and called on federal officials to halt the project and engage directly with community residents.
Speakers raised concerns that the expansion would increase federal activity and surveillance infrastructure in the heart of Southeast DC while failing to address community needs.
"Southeast DC deserves housing, healthcare, schools, food access, and good jobs, not a fortified federal compound," said Owolewa.
Advocates said the demonstration aimed to draw attention to the potential impact of the expansion on surrounding neighborhoods and urged greater transparency about the future of the St. Elizabeths West campus.
March 13, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 13, 2026
Oye Owolewa, Southeast DC Residents Demand Halt to ICE Expansion at St. Elizabeths
Washington, DC — Representative Oye Owolewa and residents of Southeast DC will call for a halt to the expansion of the Department of Homeland Security campus at St. Elizabeths West. Residents and advocates will gather on Saturday, March 14, at 4:00 PM at 2501 MLK Ave SE for a press conference and march to the facility entrance to demand that the plans for the $524 million ICE and CISA expansion stop immediately.
"This is an outrage," said Oye Owolewa. "Washington, DC still lives under taxation without representation, and now the federal government is using land in the heart of Southeast to expand the infrastructure of deportation and surveillance. Southeast DC deserves housing, healthcare, schools, food access, and good jobs, not a fortified federal compound."
The project expands federal control over Southeast DC while placing the headquarters of one of the country's most controversial agencies in a historically Black community and sanctuary city. Paul Howe, an educator in the Congress Heights neighborhood, laid out the concerns that many share about the ICE Headquarters' placement. "The people [here] are already under intense pressure. ICE has carried out violent acts nationwide. What would it be any different in Congress Heights?"
"DC residents deserve better," Owolewa said. "We are going to fight to stop this project and demand the federal government take its hands off DC."
This project includes a new 570,000-square-foot Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters and a 629,595-square-foot Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) headquarters. Clark Construction won the $524 million contract to build the facility, which will be paired with $288 million of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
The projects are part of a federal campus expansion expected to house more than 12,000 DHS employees in Southeast DC. The CISA building alone carries a $524 million construction contract awarded to Clark Construction, alongside $288 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding supporting the ICE, CISA, and related campus construction.
March 12, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 12, 2026
Oye Owolewa, Southeast DC Residents Demand Halt to ICE Expansion at St. Elizabeths
Washington, DC — Representative Oye Owolewa and residents of Southeast DC will call for a halt to the expansion of the Department of Homeland Security campus at St. Elizabeths West. Residents and advocates will gather on Saturday, March 14, at 4:00 PM at 2501 MLK Ave SE for a press conference and march to the facility entrance to demand that the plans for the $524 million ICE and CISA expansion stop immediately.
"This is an outrage," said Oye Owolewa. "Washington, DC still lives under taxation without representation, and now the federal government is using land in the heart of Southeast to expand the infrastructure of deportation and surveillance. Southeast DC deserves housing, healthcare, schools, food access, and good jobs, not a fortified federal compound."
The project expands federal control over Southeast DC while placing the headquarters of one of the country's most controversial agencies in a historically Black community and sanctuary city. Paul Howe, an educator in the Congress Heights neighborhood, laid out the concerns that many share about the ICE Headquarters' placement. "The people [here] are already under intense pressure. ICE has carried out violent acts nationwide. What would it be any different in Congress Heights?"
"DC residents deserve better," Owolewa said. "We are going to fight to stop this project and demand the federal government take its hands off DC."
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DHS Record of Decision (July 2022) — The decision to choose Alternative B — maximum build-out — signed by a single DHS official. https://www.dhs.gov/publication/record-decision-department-homeland-security-continue-headquarters-consolidation-st
DHS Record of Decision (2016) — Earlier consolidation approval DHS's 2016 decision to unify and consolidate all headquarters at St. Elizabeths. https://www.dhs.gov/publication/record-decision-unify-and-consolidate-dhs-headquarters-facilities-st-elizabeths-campus-0
DHS 2016 NEPA Adoption Memo The formal memo in which DHS adopted both the 2008 and 2012 Environmental Impact Statements. https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Adoption%20Memo%20Final%2020160330%20rev%20TRP%20(508)_0.pdf
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DOCUMENTS
GSA Final Supplemental EIS Page (2020) — with all downloadable PDFs The hub page for the 2020 environmental review, including the full SEIS, the GSA Record of Decision, and the executed Memorandum of Agreement. This is the review that found No Action was environmentally preferable — and was overridden. https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/gsa-regions/region-11-national-capital/buildings-and-facilities/project-information-nepa/st-elizabeths-final-supplemental-eis
Federal Register Notice — GSA Record of Decision (October 2020) The official Federal Register entry formally publishing the ROD selecting Alternative B. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/13/2020-22605/record-of-decision-of-the-supplemental-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-proposed-master-plan
NCPC Staff Report — Master Plan Amendment 2 (October 2020) The National Capital Planning Commission's staff report analyzing the master plan amendment, with detailed discussion of the alternatives and environmental findings. https://www.ncpc.gov/docs/actions/2020October/MP211_Department_of_Homeland_Security_Headquarters_Consolidation_at_St_Elizabeths_Master_Plan_Amendment_2_Staff_Report_Oct2020.pdf
GSA PROJECT PAGESGSA St. Elizabeths West Campus — Main Project Page The official GSA project page including history, master plan, construction updates, and Clark Construction information. https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/gsa-regions/region-11-national-capital/buildings-and-facilities/development-projects/st-elizabeths-west-campus
St. Elizabeth’s Development — Federal Project Website The government's dedicated project website with master plan documents, NEPA history, news and events archive going back to 2008. http://www.stelizabethsdevelopment.com
St. Elizabeth’s Development — NEPA Documents Page Direct link to all NEPA documents including the 2020 SEIS and all prior EIS materials. http://www.stelizabethsdevelopment.com/nepa.html
St. Elizabeth’s Development — Master Plan Page Full master plan history and amendment documents. http://www.stelizabethsdevelopment.com/master-plan.html
CONTRACT & FUNDING DOCUMENTS
GSA Press Release — Clark Construction $524M CISA Contract (August 16, 2024) The official announcement of Clark Construction's contract award, IRA funding breakdown, and project details. https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/gsa-awards-construction-contract-for-cisa-hq-on-the-st-elizabeths-west-campus-08192024
GSA FY2023 Budget Prospectus — DHS Consolidation The congressional budget justification that confirms the 570,000 sq. ft. ICE/CBP building and breaks down the project scope and funding. https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/FY%202023%20Washington%20DC%20DHS%20Consolidation%20at%20St%20Elizabeths.pdf
NEWS COVERAGE
Washington Post — Historic buildings DHS wants to raze were deemed stable (January 15, 2026) The investigation revealing GSA's own engineers found the buildings viable — contradicting DHS Secretary Noem's emergency demolition order. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/12/30/homeland-security-plan-demolish-buildings-st-elizabeths/
Federal News Network — IRA funding announcement (August 17, 2023) The $288M IRA breakdown: $140.8M CISA, $80.8M ICE, $67M garage/gatehouse. https://federalnewsnetwork.com/facilities-construction/2023/08/with-ira-investment-dhs-to-break-ground-on-new-cisa-ice-headquarters-in-2024/
ENR — Clark Construction $524M Contract (August 20, 2024) Engineering News-Record coverage with ZGF Architects and Olin Studio design details. https://www.enr.com/articles/59153-clark-construction-wins-524m-contract-to-build-cisa-headquarters
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Dr. Oye Owolewa
"This is an outrage. Washington, DC still lives under taxation without representation, and now the federal government is using land in the heart of Southeast to expand the infrastructure of deportation and surveillance. Southeast DC deserves housing, healthcare, schools, food access, and good jobs, not a fortified federal compound." March 14, 2026 — Press conference at DHS Entrance at St. Elizabeth’s West.
"DC residents deserve better. We are going to fight to stop this project and demand the federal government take its hands off DC." March 14, 2026 — Press conference at DHS Entrance at St. Elizabeth’s West.
"Clark Construction is making a deliberate choice to profit from the expansion of ICE. This is not neutral work. Building cages, offices, and enforcement infrastructure for ICE has real human consequences — and Clark is choosing to be part of that." March 27, 2026 — Media advisory ahead of April 14 protest
"We are prepared to keep showing up. Clark's reputation, partnerships, and public standing are all on the line." March 27, 2026 — Media advisory ahead of April 14 protest
From the Community
"The people [here] are already under intense pressure. ICE has carried out violent acts nationwide. What would it be any different in Congress Heights?" — Paul Howe, Congress Heights educator, March 14, 2026
"For generations, immigrants have been invisible constituents of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser previously rallied in our neighborhoods… and today she betrays us, handing our communities to masked agents. Immigrants are Washingtonians." — Leny Gomez, Colectivo de Familias Migrantes, DC Council hearing, October 30, 2025
From DC Leadership
"Until this year there was a very clear line between MPD and ICE, and that provided comfort to residents. This is undermining the community's trust in MPD." — Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, October 2025
"To say that DC residents are traumatized by the surge of federal agents and stepped-up immigration enforcement is not hyperbole. I personally have heard multiple stories of parents snatched by masked and unidentified agents. I've witnessed incidents, as well. We've heard of kids left on their own after parents have been removed. We've heard of US citizens being detained without warrants and with no apparent reason — and in many of these cases, DC police have participated." — Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, DC Council hearing, October 30, 2025
From the Other Side — What They Are Saying"The CISA project is a flagship example of how the Biden-Harris Administration is fulfilling its commitment to invest in America." — GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan, August 2024
"This facility will help safeguard our nation's cyber landscape while setting new standards in sustainable building for federal agencies." — Joe Hogan, Clark Construction Group CEO, August 2024
"The new Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Headquarters at St. Elizabeths West Campus will help bring skilled, high-tech jobs east of the Anacostia River." — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, August 2024
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ANC Endorsement Form - Say 'No' to ICE in Southeast DC
WHEREAS, the federal government is developing and expanding the Department of Homeland Security campus at St. Elizabeths West in Southeast, Washington, DC, including the construction of a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters and related Department of Homeland Security facilities; and
WHEREAS, the St. Elizabeths redevelopment project includes significant federal funding and contracts with private construction and design firms, including Clark Construction and ZGF Architects; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of federal enforcement infrastructure in Washington, DC has raised concerns among residents about immigration enforcement practices and their impact on immigrant communities in the District; and
WHEREAS, Southeast is a historically Black community that has long faced underinvestment in housing, healthcare, education, and economic opportunity; and
WHEREAS, many residents and community organizations have expressed opposition to expanding ICE infrastructure in the District and have called for greater transparency and public engagement regarding federal development at the St. Elizabeths campus; and
WHEREAS, residents of Washington, DC continue to live under taxation without representation in Congress and have limited democratic authority over major federal development projects imposed within the District; and
WHEREAS, District residents deserve democratic participation in decisions that significantly affect their neighborhoods and public safety;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this resolution calls for an immediate halt to the construction and expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities at the St. Elizabeths West campus and instead host meaningful conversations with District residents and community stakeholders; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the federal government should prioritize investments in housing, healthcare, education, food access, and economic opportunity for residents of Southeast Washington, D.C. rather than expanding federal enforcement infrastructure; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Clark Construction, ZGF Architects, and any other private contractors involved in the development of ICE facilities at St. Elizabeths end their participation in this project and all others that expand deportation infrastructure in the District; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Council of the District of Columbia, the General Services Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the District’s Delegate to Congress.