CONCORD, NH – Two anti-sanctuary city bills that were signed by the New Hampshire governor earlier in 2025 are slated to go into effect at the onset of January, dismantling and forbidding policies adopted by various cities and localities within the state which prohibited local authorities from cooperating with federal immigration officials.
Come January 1st, two anti-sanctuary city bills that were signed by New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte this past May will go into effect statewide, marking an end to fractured collaborative efforts between state/local authorities with agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
At the time of her signing the anti-sanctuary city legislation, Governor Ayotte referenced states like Massachusetts with their issues revolving around illegal immigration and the associated costs to American taxpayers, claiming she won’t allow her state to “go the way” of states who’ve adopted and upheld 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,” Governor Ayotte said this past May, adding, “Today, we’re delivering on our promise by banning sanctuary cities and supporting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.”
The road to said anti-sanctuary city legislation becoming law wasn’t without pushback from progressive politicians and entities, with Democratic Senator Tara Reardon having spoken out against both bills prior to their passing. At the time, Senator Reardon claimed American citizens were “being deported” and adoption of such legislation risks sending people “to countries they are not from and where they face real danger.”
While change is on the horizon for the entirety of New Hampshire, policy changes in anticipation of Senate Bill 62 and House Bill 511 coming to fruition have already been adopted by some cities, as previously reported here at Law Enforcement Today.
The New Hampshire town of Hanover amended their policing policy, much to the dismay of pro-sanctuary city personas, earlier in December in order to fall in line with the impending state law compelling state/local police to cooperate with ICE.
During a December 8th selectboard meeting, Hanover’s board members voted unanimously to update their Fair and Impartial Policing ordinance to explicitly note that law enforcement agencies and detention facilities must cooperate with issued immigration detainers as well as comply with general requests for assistance by federal agencies like ICE.
Come January 1st, two anti-sanctuary city bills that were signed by New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte this past May will go into effect statewide, marking an end to fractured collaborative efforts between state/local authorities with agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
At the time of her signing the anti-sanctuary city legislation, Governor Ayotte referenced states like Massachusetts with their issues revolving around illegal immigration and the associated costs to American taxpayers, claiming she won’t allow her state to “go the way” of states who’ve adopted and upheld 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,” Governor Ayotte said this past May, adding, “Today, we’re delivering on our promise by banning sanctuary cities and supporting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.”
The road to said anti-sanctuary city legislation becoming law wasn’t without pushback from progressive politicians and entities, with Democratic Senator Tara Reardon having spoken out against both bills prior to their passing. At the time, Senator Reardon claimed American citizens were “being deported” and adoption of such legislation risks sending people “to countries they are not from and where they face real danger.”
While change is on the horizon for the entirety of New Hampshire, policy changes in anticipation of Senate Bill 62 and House Bill 511 coming to fruition have already been adopted by some cities, as previously reported here at Law Enforcement Today.
The New Hampshire town of Hanover amended their policing policy, much to the dismay of pro-sanctuary city personas, earlier in December in order to fall in line with the impending state law compelling state/local police to cooperate with ICE.
During a December 8th selectboard meeting, Hanover’s board members voted unanimously to update their Fair and Impartial Policing ordinance to explicitly note that law enforcement agencies and detention facilities must cooperate with issued immigration detainers as well as comply with general requests for assistance by federal agencies like ICE.
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