Police Investigate Anti 'Illeagles' Graffiti in Westminster

A message spray-painted on the side of a brick building in Westminster has reportedly been classified as a hate crime.

On Saturday or Sunday, someone spray-painted a message—"no illeagles here no undocumented Democrats"—on the side of the former U.S. Army Reserve building, which the Maryland State Police Westminster barrack commander told the Carroll County Times was being investigated as a hate crime because it was a "racial, religious, ethnic incident."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was considering using the building on Malcolm Drive to house children who arrive in the U.S. without adults, as the federal government scrambles to accommodate the 90,000 unaccompanied children projected to cross the Mexican border this year.

"County leaders learned of the possibility on Thursday evening, and the reaction in this heavily Republican town northwest of Baltimore was swift and negative," The Washington Post reported.

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners held an emergency meeting Friday to discuss the issue, and U.S. Rep. Andy Harris vowed to block funding for the shelter if it were to be sited in Westminster.

Days after it was made public that the Westminster location was a possibility, officials reported the federal government was no longer considering the former U.S. Army Reserve building for the shelter; they had determined by Sunday that the long-vacant building, which was in need of updates, "would not be appropriate," according to Fox 45.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services told The Washington Post Monday that the location in Carroll County was "not a viable option at this time."

According to the Carroll County Times, police have not yet identified any suspects or witnesses in connection with the graffiti on the side of the building, which law enforcement discovered Sunday morning.

Related:

• Westminster No Longer Being Considered for Immigrant Shelter
• Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Could Be Headed for Westminster