Gov. Ayotte Misleading Us as She Spends NH’s Money

By Ken Barnes

Once again, our MAGA Gov. Kelly Ayotte is misleading Granite Staters as she kowtows to her dictatorial leader, Pres. Trump. This time, she has asked the NH State Police to use Granite-State-taxpayers’ funds to do the (illegal) dirty work for the federal Immigration & Customs Enforcement office.

Why do I say Ayotte is misleading us?  Without telling us so, she is incorrectly conflating criminality with immigration status.  The Governor justifies her diversion of much-needed NH budget money as a way to “protect our citizens” from “criminals who are in our country illegally and pose a danger.”  

She’s trying to get us to believe that every person seeking refuge in the US is a “criminal” who poses a danger.  This is simply not true.  Most migrants and asylum-seekers have fled violence and oppression in their home countries.  They just want to be safe, to work for a living and raise a family.  Many of our neighbors who are being rounded up by ICE have been doing exactly that for many years: working hard, contributing to their communities, and being good neighbors.

Of course, we all want NH police to “keep our communities safe” from criminals who pose a danger.  But we want protection from all criminals equally, whether they are third-generation Granite Staters or are immigrants (documented or undocumented).  

Tell the truth, Gov. Ayotte.  You’re not acting in the interests of the people of New Hampshire.  You’re just protecting your own Republican future by following in lockstep behind the Trump-Musk wrecking ball that’s destroying our democracy.

Ken Barnes is a retired civil rights attorney, now making “good trouble” supporting voting rights, public education, justice for immigrants, and equality for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.

Ken Barnes
Contoocook, NH