Portsmouth council unanimously adopts resolution to affirm residents’ due-process rights amid ICE activity

The Portsmouth City Council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt a resolution affirming that everyone in the city is entitled to due-process protections and authorizing steps to seek information about federal immigration-enforcement activity in the community.

Councilor Andrew Bagley moved to adopt “Resolution 13-2025, a resolution to protect residents’ due-process rights,” with Councilor Kate Cook supporting the amendment to change the word “citizens” to “residents.” The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

Supporters who spoke during a large public-comment period urged the council to act after several recent local immigration arrests and to request transparency from federal agencies. Speakers included the Reverend Ellen Quagrass, who described the fear experienced by people she said had been detained; local restaurant and business owners who described employees or owners taken into custody; and multiple residents who said they feared unmarked vans and masked officers operating in Portsmouth.

Cook, who introduced the resolution for council consideration, told colleagues the measure is a first step: it reaffirms that due process applies to everyone, directs staff to submit requests for information (including Freedom of Information Act inquiries) about people detained in Portsmouth, and asks for greater transparency so families can locate relatives and understand what occurred.

Several councilors said they support the measure as a limited, symbolic action the city can take even though immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Councilor Bagley said the resolution reflects Portsmouth’s character as “the City of the Open Door,” and Councilor Denton and other members said it does not attempt to override federal authority but seeks information and community reassurance.

Police leadership previously told the council that the Portsmouth Police Department does not routinely receive full information from federal immigration authorities about their actions in the city. Cook said that was a key reason to request documentation and records so the city can better understand what enforcement activity occurs locally.

The adopted resolution directs city staff to take specific nonbinding steps, including submitting records requests to federal agencies for details about individuals detained who have local ties and reporting back to the council. It does not enact a local ordinance or create new enforcement powers.

Action: Councilor Bagley moved adoption of the resolution as amended; Councilor Cook seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous.

Community reaction at the meeting was strongly in favor of the resolution; several speakers asked the council to go further, including asking federal agents to show identification and warrants, while some public comments urged restraint because immigration enforcement is federal. Councilors repeatedly described the measure as a limited municipal statement plus a request for transparency rather than a change in law.

The city will publish any records received and staff will report back to the council on follow-up steps and potential next actions.