Laconia council rejects resolution urging formal cooperation with ICE 287(g) program after prolonged public comment

The Laconia City Council on Monday rejected a proposed resolution — Resolution 2025-15 — that would have expressed the council’s support for local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the federal 287(g) program.

The final vote failed, with Councilor Bogart the lone recorded “yes.” Councilors Hoffman and Haines voted “no,” and Councilors Cheney and Soucy abstained. One councilor was recorded as “no” but was not identified in the public roll call, and the motion was declared to have failed.

The resolution drew an extended public comment period and lengthy debate among councilors and residents. Members of the public who spoke during the citizens’ request portion urged the council to reject the measure, saying formal cooperation with ICE would harm trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.

Carlos Cardona, an appointed member of the New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs and a longtime Lakes Region resident, called the resolution “a step towards fear, division, and a breakdown in trust” and said it would discourage immigrants from reporting crimes or cooperating with investigations. “This makes every one of us less safe,” Cardona said.

Retired attorney Patrick Wood addressed the council at length about legal and budgetary…