ICE vehicles gone from Baltimore’s Symphony Center parking garage

All of the vehicles previously parked in a state-owned garage near Baltimore’s Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall were “removed” as of 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to an employee of the company that leases the structure.

About 50 new law enforcement vehicles had been stored in the garage at the Symphony Center complex in Baltimore’s Midtown-Belvedere neighborhood. At least two had U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement parking placards on the dashboards.

It is unclear where the vehicles have been moved and how they might be used.

The focus on the vehicles comes after rumors that have swept the city warning of an enforcement surge linked to immigration efforts.

Last week, a group of Maryland sheriffs said they were told to expect an increase in federal immigration enforcement following the state’s move to ban local cooperation agreements.

The sheriffs made the revelation during their monthly meeting with the acting director of ICE’s Baltimore field office, Vernon Liggins. This followed the day after Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill ending ICE collaboration agreements, a measure fast-tracked by the legislature.

Symphony Center is leased to its developer, David S. Brown Enterprises, and the garage is privately operated. The complex is also home to Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s congressional district office.

“Trump’s ICE continues to ignore questions from Congress about their taxpayer-funded purchase of dozens of vehicles. We will keep pushing for answers on where these vehicles have gone and what ICE intends to do with them,” Van Hollen said in an email statement Thursday.

David S. Brown Enterprises declined to provide additional details about the move, including why the vehicles were moved at all, how long it took to remove them, and who owned the vehicles.

Ashley Effinger, a representative of David S. Brown Enterprises, wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon that the vehicles would be moved by 4 p.m. In a follow-up email, Effinger added that the company was unable to “provide anything more than what I have provided.”

ICE spokesperson Casey Latimer did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.

Baltimore City Councilman Mark Parker said he tried unsuccessfully “multiple times” over the past week to have a conversation with David S. Brown Enterprises. None of his calls were returned. He expressed disappointment at the company’s willingness to work with ICE.

“I hope that the removal of these vehicles from this garage — state-owned but privately-managed — is an indication that our business leaders are choosing the safety of our families and neighborhoods over profit," he added.

On Thursday, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra issued a statement on the issue after the organization said protesters had come to the site.

“The BSO does not own, operate, or manage the garage, and decisions regarding the use or leasing of parking spaces are made independently by its operator,” the statement read.

“Activity at the Meyerhoff is continuing as scheduled, the statement continued. “Rehearsals and student programs today are proceeding as planned, and the BSO remains focused on its artistic and educational mission.”

Banner reporter Justin Fenton contributed to this story.