New Hampshire Bans Sanctuary Cities
CONCORD, N.H. — On Thursday, New Hampshire became the first state in New England to enact a ban on sanctuary cities. Governor Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, made the announcement during a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol, declaring, “New Hampshire has no sanctuary cities, the era, the end of the story.”
A few moments later, in an interview, Ayotte emphasized that the measures she signed would not only prohibit sanctuary cities but also promote cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Sanctuary cities refer to jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.
As more states move towards similar bans, Ayotte noted, “I campaigned to make sure there are no sanctuary cities here in New Hampshire. We don’t want to go down the road in Massachusetts, which is facing a billion-dollar immigration crisis.” The governor advocates for legal immigration but insists on enforcing laws to ensure public safety.
New Hampshire ranks as one of the safest states in the country, according to Ayotte, who added that the state remains committed to prohibiting sanctuary practices. The two bills passed mainly along party lines in a Republican-controlled legislature, with Senate sponsor Bill Ganon claiming it would enhance safety for families and communities.
Rep. Joe Sweeney, another supporter, claimed this legislation frees law enforcement to work with federal authorities to address illegal immigration effectively. Ayotte’s position reflects broader Republican narratives, especially echoed during former President Donald Trump’s administration, which frequently targeted sanctuary cities in discussions about immigration.
Some Democrats in New Hampshire expressed concerns regarding the political motivations behind the legislation, linking it to national rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement.
Interestingly, although New Hampshire does not officially have sanctuary cities, a few municipalities promote themselves as “welcome cities,” fostering an inclusive atmosphere for all residents. Republican lawmakers, however, assert that several communities in the state effectively operate as sanctuary cities, a subject of contention for years.
