05/03/2026
An informed community member shared this and I wanted to post it here to educate people on what the chief is asking for. I think it’s important to attend Wednesday nights meeting and show support if you can. The Kensington and Exeter Democrats are posting asking citizens show up in opposition.
On Wednesday at 6:30 pm , the select board will be hearing from the PD regarding entering into an agreement with ICE. The program 287g is designed to streamline communication and cooperation between local and federal law enforcement to do the job they are already required to do by law. Once a MOU is signed, the federal government provides a slew of financial incentives that will help our local tax base. This includes 100K for new vehicle, $7,500 per officer for equipment, access to real time federal databases that allows our local officers access to criminal records and paid overtime. This really is a no-brainer because of two state laws SB 62 and HB 511 that were signed into law that prevents towns from prohibiting law enforcement from entering into these agreements and if they do interfere, the town is subject to losing state funding.
WHAT IS 287(g)?
Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the federal government to enter into formal agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies, training officers to perform specific immigration enforcement functions.
New Hampshire agencies participate under the Task Force Model, which allows officers to:
• Question individuals about their immigration status during the course of routine law enforcement
• Access federal immigration databases to verify status
• Arrest individuals accused of violating immigration laws
• Process individuals for potential deportation proceedings
Officers must complete ICE-provided training and pass a test before being authorized to act.
2. WHERE THINGS STAND IN NEW HAMPSHIRE TODAY
Current Participation
• 15 NH law enforcement agencies signed as of April 2026
• Includes: NH State Police; Belknap, Grafton, Rockingham & Hillsborough County Sheriffs; and municipal departments in Auburn, Candia, Carroll, Colebrook, Epping, Gorham, Ossipee, Pittsburg, Troy & Whitefield
• ~138 officers trained and authorized statewide
Financial Structure
• ~$100,000 from ICE for a new vehicle upon joining
• Additional $7,500 funding for infrastructure & equipment per trained officer
• Salary & paid overtime reimbursement per trained Officer
• Towns and municipalities risk losing 25% of state funding if they prevent local police officers from entering into 287 agreements (see Hb 511 & Sb 62)
3. GOVERNOR AYOTTE'S POSITION
Governor Kelly Ayotte has been a strong and consistent supporter of 287(g) agreements since taking office. Banning sanctuary cities and expanding ICE cooperation were central promises of her 2024 campaign.
Her Own Words
February 2025:
"It is critical for state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities and protect our citizens. Criminals who are in our country illegally and pose a danger should be apprehended and removed. I support and encourage New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE."
Upon signing HB511 & SB62, May 2025:
"Today, we're delivering on our promise by banning sanctuary cities and supporting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. New Hampshire will never be a sanctuary for criminals."
Key Actions Taken
• Signed SB62 and HB511 on May 22, 2025 — fulfilling a core campaign promise
• Actively encouraged all NH law enforcement agencies to apply for 287(g) agreements
• Engaged with the Trump administration and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on expanded NH immigration enforcement
• Warned that efforts to obstruct immigration enforcement activity will result in prosecution
• Opposed citizen-organized sanctuary community declarations across the state
4. THE LAWS: SB62 AND HB511
Signed May 22, 2025 — effective January 1, 2026. Together, SB62 and HB511 make New Hampshire the first state in New England to ban sanctuary city policies and legally require cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
SB62 — 287(g) Program Authorization
HB511 — Anti-Sanctuary / Cooperation Mandate
• Prevents local governments from blocking law enforcement agencies from entering 287(g) agreements
• Agencies that refuse ICE detainers must report to the NH Attorney General
• Municipalities that violate the law lose up to 25% of state funding
• Bans all sanctuary policies statewide — cities and towns cannot limit ICE cooperation
• Requires local law enforcement to comply with ICE immigration detainers "if safe to do so"
• Prohibits withholding immigration information about people in custody from federal authorities
• Lebanon & Hanover both revised their local ordinances before the January 2026 deadline to avoid losing state funding
