Heated testimony on HB 511, bill to prohibit sanctuary policies and mandate cooperation with federal immigration detainers

Rep. (sponsor) opened HB 511 as legislation that would prohibit state and local government entities from adopting sanctuary policies and would require cooperation with federal immigration detainers, including honoring detainer requests and sharing information with federal authorities.

Supporters told the panel that sanctuary practices undermine cooperative law enforcement and create public‑safety gaps; they argued uniform cooperation would prevent foreign nationals who pose a danger from returning to communities. Witnesses including immigration‑policy advocates and some town leaders said HB 511 would ensure consistent responses across jurisdictions.

Opponents — including the ACLU of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Immigrant Rights Network, the New Hampshire Catholic Diocese, and legal advocates — said the bill as written is broad and could effectively commandeer local police into enforcing federal civil immigration law, a role local law enforcement does not have and that may reduce trust in police among immigrant communities. ACLU and other legal experts pointed out that immigration detainers are civil in nature and that courts have scrutinized detainers; they also raised due‑process and First Amendment vagueness concerns. Several municipal and faith leaders told the committee they fear the law would harm public safety by discouraging victims and witnesses from contacting police.

The chair closed the hearing after many witnesses asked for careful drafting; some lawmakers indicated they would consider narrowing language to focus on detention cases and information sharing rather than broader 'best efforts' mandates.