New Hampshire Bans Sanctuary Cities, Prioritizing Immigration Enforcement
CONCORD, NH — In a decisive move signaling her commitment to immigration enforcement, Governor Kelly Ayotte signed legislation on Thursday that bans sanctuary cities across New Hampshire, making it the first state in New England to adopt such a measure.
Ayotte’s signature fulfills a campaign promise made during her successful gubernatorial run against former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig. The new laws, SB 62 and HB 511, were backed by Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Bill Gannon and Rep. Joe Sweeney. They require local law enforcement to adhere to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers when feasible and empower the state attorney general to take legal action against jurisdictions that continue implementing sanctuary policies.
"I said from the beginning that we won’t let our state go the way of Massachusetts and their billion-dollar illegal immigrant crisis,” Ayotte stated, reinforcing the need for a unified state policy on immigration. Rep. Sweeney echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that local officials must not obstruct law enforcement’s efforts to maintain safety.
Despite the absence of Democratic support during the signing, Rep. David Meuse of Portsmouth, who previously criticized anti-sanctuary legislation, had recently voted in favor of the ban but faced scrutiny for switching stances.
Gannon referenced the tragic case of a Nashua woman killed by an illegal immigrant to underscore the law’s urgency, stressing that cooperation between federal and state agencies would enhance public safety.
Mark Krikorian from the Center for Immigration Studies applauded New Hampshire’s decision, suggesting it would help prevent crimes linked to undocumented immigrants. “Every crime committed by someone who has no right to be in this country could have been prevented by proper immigration enforcement,” he stated.
As New Hampshire takes this stand, local communities previously considering sanctuary policies must now reassess their positions.
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