New Hampshire Moves to Ban Sanctuary Cities

Across the United States, sanctuary jurisdictions have started to take root, causing waves of concern in nearby communities that often oppose such measures. New Hampshire is now addressing this challenge as Massachusetts Democratic leaders pursue policies aimed at shielding unauthorized immigrants, even those with criminal backgrounds, from federal immigration enforcement.

Recently, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte (R) took a significant step by signing Bill 511 and Senate Bill 62, clearly setting a precedent for the region. “I’m really glad to see New Hampshire establishing standards for the rest of New England,” she remarked.

In Massachusetts, the shelter system has become overwhelmed with criminal activity amid the current illegal immigration crisis, leading to reports of homeless individuals and families sleeping on the floor of Boston Logan International Airport due to lack of shelter space.

In her statement regarding the new law, Ayotte noted, “From the beginning, we said we would not pave the way for the billion-dollar immigration crisis of Massachusetts.” She continued, “Today, we are demonstrating our commitment by banning sanctuary cities and fostering cooperation between law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. New Hampshire will not become a haven for criminals.” This action makes New Hampshire the first state in New England to implement such a ban.

State Assemblyman Mike Belcher (R) expressed his support for the legislation, saying, “I’m thrilled to see New Hampshire leading the way for other areas in New England, although it’s unfortunate that we can’t do more to mitigate the effects from sanctuary cities elsewhere.” He added, “We need to focus on genuine asylum cases and ensure that the federal government enforces laws effectively. If they fall short, states should take action.”