Senate advances bills requiring local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, rejects objections

The New Hampshire Senate on a series of votes moved forward measures aimed at tightening cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement, advancing House Bill 511 and concurring with the House amendment to Senate Bill 62.

House Bill 511, which the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended ought to pass, would require law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to comply with immigration detainers and prohibit local government entities from interfering with such cooperation; investigations into immigration status would follow only after a violation of state law. Senator Kevin Gannon, speaking for the committee, moved the bill on the floor: "I move that house bill 5 11 f n ought to pass." The Senate adopted the committee recommendation by roll call, 15 to 8, and ordered the bill to third reading.

Senate Bill 62, amended in the House, combines earlier Senate provisions to allow New Hampshire towns and counties to participate in federal 287 programs and explicitly authorizes county correctional facilities to hold individuals subject to ICE detainers for up to 48 hours to permit transfer to federal custody. Senator Gannon urged concurrence with the House amendment, saying the measure "ensures New Hampshire towns and counties may participate in the federal 287 programs, increasing cooperation between federal, state, and local enforcement on our immigration laws." The Senate concurred with the House amendment by the same margin, 15 to 8, and the bill was advanced for final processing.

The debate on both measures was sharply divided. Supporters argued the bills are required for public safety and to prevent so-called "sanctuary" policies that they said allow criminal offenders to evade federal immigration enforcement. Senator Gannon and others cited national statistics and local incidents in urging passage. Senator Abbas said: "If you wanna live the American dream and you wanna immigrate to this country, we ask that you respect our country's laws and immigrate to this country legally." Senator Bridal said the bills "will finally complete this journey" to prohibit sanctuary policies in New Hampshire.

Opponents raised concerns about civil liberties, due process and the cost burden on local governments. Senator David Reardon said: "No human being is illegal," and warned that ICE detainers are "not signed by judges" and have in some cases led to people being detained who were not deportable or who were lawful residents. Reardon and others also argued the bills shift detention costs to counties and towns and could harm community policing and trust between immigrant communities and police.

Questions on implementation and fiscal impacts were repeatedly raised on the floor, including whether counties would be reimbursed for holding detainees and how local police duties might change. Supporters pointed to an explicit authorization for counties to seek reimbursement in SB62; opponents said uncertainty remained about weekend and holiday custody costs.

With both measures advanced by the same 15–8 margins, the Senate established the legislature's intent to limit local policies that would hinder cooperation with federal immigration enforcement while the details of implementation and costs remain points of contention.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 511 — motion of "ought to pass" adopted by roll call, 15 yes, 8 no; ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 62 (concurrence with House amendment) — concurrence adopted by roll call, 15 yes, 8 no; advanced for enrollment/processing.

What happens next: Both measures will proceed through the remaining steps required by the Senate (third reading/enrollment) and, where applicable, be transmitted for the governor's signature or further conference, per usual legislative procedure.