Several state representatives and residents used the board’s public comment period on Dec. 31 to press Rockingham County commissioners for transparency about a potential contract or RFP with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

State Representative Linda Haskins said the widely circulated $6,000,000 revenue estimate for hosting detainees does not account for county expenses that federal payments may not cover. "The supposed $6,000,000 that could accrue to the county does not take into account the expenses that will not be paid by the feds," Haskins said, and she asked commissioners to take public concerns into account before approving any contract.

Chris Wuns, a resident and state representative, and Buzz Schurr, a Portsmouth police commissioner who also identified himself as a state representative, urged the county to provide full contract details and to schedule a public hearing. Schurr specifically recommended that the county delegation jail subcommittee review any proposed RFP or contract language, including the per‑detainee rate and assumptions used to calculate revenue and costs, before the commissioners vote.

Several residents, including Mike Edgar and Kevin Fleming, said they were attending to learn more and likewise expressed concern about unknown operational and legal implications.

County leadership responded that no memorandum of agreement (MOA) had been received from ICE/DHS at the time of the meeting. A commissioner said they have been in frequent discussions with the superintendent and will thoroughly review any materials before making a decision, and that when documents arrive they will be shared with the commissioners and become part of the public record.

No formal contract or RFP was presented or voted on at the meeting. Commenters asked for prompt public updates and recommended that the jail subcommittee analyze projected revenues and costs, medication and medical coverage responsibilities, and staffing impacts before the board takes action.