New Hampshire Delegation Introduces Bill Requiring Approval For New ICE Detention Centers
New Hampshire’s congressional delegation has introduced legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to obtain written approval from state and local officials before opening new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention or processing facilities.
The proposal comes amid mounting controversy over a potential ICE detention center in Merrimack, where federal officials have reportedly considered converting a warehouse at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway into a processing facility.
Federal Proposal Sparks Local Backlash
The bill is backed by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Reps. Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander.
Lawmakers say the measure would require DHS to notify relevant congressional committees and secure formal approval from state and municipal authorities before moving forward with detention center plans.
“Our new bill responds directly to the concerns we’ve heard from local officials in towns like Merrimack,” Shaheen said, adding that communities deserve a voice in decisions that affect public safety and infrastructure.
Hassan echoed those concerns, stating the legislation would prevent DHS from “unilaterally forcing” facilities onto local communities.
Questions Over Communication
Reports of a possible ICE facility have circulated for months, fueled by limited public information from federal authorities. Gov. Kelly Ayotte initially said DHS had not informed her office of any plans. However, documents surfaced in early February showing that DHS had been in discussions with the state’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Following the revelations, the commissioner of that department resigned at Ayotte’s request.
Ayotte later said her office has been urging federal officials to coordinate with the town of Merrimack and engage local leaders before proceeding with any decision.
White House Defends Enforcement Efforts
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue last week, saying the administration has been in contact with governors nationwide regarding potential sites for detention facilities.
She added that nearly 3 million people in the U.S. illegally have been deported under the current administration, emphasizing continued enforcement efforts in New England and elsewhere.
Her remarks intensified debate in the state, where protests have taken place outside Merrimack Town Hall in opposition to the proposed facility.
Broader National Debate
The controversy in New Hampshire reflects a larger national discussion about federal immigration enforcement and local control. Across the country, plans to convert warehouses into ICE processing or detention centers have prompted backlash, even in traditionally conservative areas.
Supporters of the New Hampshire bill argue that increased transparency and local approval requirements would restore trust and prevent confusion. Critics of the legislation may contend that immigration enforcement falls under federal authority and should not require state consent.
As DHS shutdown negotiations and immigration policy battles continue in Washington, the Merrimack proposal has become a focal point in the ongoing tension between federal enforcement priorities and local governance.
