ICE protester Ned Beecher, (right) of Tamworth, is pictured shaking hands with Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, R-Wakefield, at the Executive Council meeting Wednesday. PAULA TRACY photo
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – More than 75 individuals, many holding signs decrying the actions of Immigration Customs Enforcement agents in the state, came to the State House Wednesday to ask leaders from New Hampshire to intervene.
Before the meeting of Gov. Kelly Ayotte and the Executive Council, the five were given letters asking for their help that relates to an online petition, which had collected close to 2,000 signatures from more than 200 communities.
The issue wasn’t discussed as part of the meeting and no action was taken.
“We, the undersigned, are gravely concerned with the choices our state has made when confronted with federal attacks on our democratic institutions and abuses of our neighbors and communities. Instead of standing up and protecting Granite Staters from federal overreach, state leaders have opted to be complicit with egregious federal abuses,” the petition begins.
A link to the entire letter is here https://www.change.org/p/governor-and-executive-council-protect-new-hampshire-residents-from-ice-cruelty.
“We are a growing network of individuals and groups who have come together to form sanctuary communities….where we aim to do the right thing and stand up against the violence and suffering we see inflicted on our communities and across the nation.
“Every day, New Hampshire’s immigrant workers, students, and entrepreneurs, are burdened to survive each day with a target on their backs. These brutal actions are causing terrible suffering and fear among hard-working, law-abiding people who fear racial profiling, seizure, physical assault, and being torn from their families, loved ones and communities. The sheer cruelty of the current approach has led to broad-based condemnation from human rights groups and faith leaders – all decrying the assaults on fundamental human dignity,” the petition states.
In addition, the NH state police, four county sheriffs, and several local police departments have signed 287(g) agreements that deputize their officers to work with immigration enforcement agents.
“This diverts state and local officers away from their regular law enforcement duties in an effort to help enact a cruel federal agenda – undermining any effort to build community trust at the expense of NH taxpayers.
“The people of New Hampshire do NOT want our resources used to support this cruel – and too often unlawful and unconstitutional – mass arrest and detention system.
“With this letter, we urge the Governor and Executive Council – along with other elected leaders and ordinary Granite Staters – to protect us from unlawful, unconstitutional and harmful ICE actions. Do not succumb to federal pressure and the temptation of funds from ICE. Do not allow New Hampshire to be complicit in illegal and immoral federal actions that harm our neighbors.”
The signers urge a “course correction” by the following means:
– Work with the state legislature to repeal the two anti-sanctuary laws passed in May 2025, and ensure that further anti-immigrant bills do not become law;
– Urge the NH state police, county sheriffs, and local police to withdraw from 287(g) agreements and rededicate themselves to the real safety of our communities;
– Urge county jails in NH not to enter into contracts to incarcerate persons seized and locked up for civil violations related to immigration;
– Promote and support programs statewide that celebrate diversity and the contributions of generations of immigrant communities to the economy and culture;
“New Hampshire has the chance to be a much-needed moral compass, modeling respectful treatment of all residents, upholding democratic principles and constitutional guarantees. That is who we are in the Granite State. That’s the real New Hampshire way.”